Advice from Peer Advisers
by Sara Kowalski, Class of 2017
Did you know Rochester has a great peer-to-peer advising program? Sometimes the best resource a student could ask for is another student! The College Center for Advising Services (CCAS) peer advisers are a friendly team of seniors who’ve overcome numerous challenges, faced countless decisions, and discovered so much about themselves, their departments, and the whole school. And now they want to share their experiences with you!
I will introduce you to just four of the many peer advisers available to you. Each one of them specializes in a humanity or humanistic social science. Whether you are a prospective student or a current student, please reach out them with your questions!
Sophie Aroesty | Dance | saroesty@u.rochester.edu
Sophie is majoring in English and psychology with a minor in dance. She is a peer adviser for dance but also takes questions for English, psychology, and general advising. You can often find her at the front desk in CCAS, where she is does administrative work and is shadowing to become a walk-in adviser. Sophie is also the director of sisterhood for Alpha Phi, writes articles for the Campus Times newspaper, and is a social media manager for EPA Internships in Europe. Please ask her about any of these experiences!
Common starting questions:
- What are classes like? (The no-BS answer)
- How can I work such-and-such classes into my major?
Office hours:
- No regular office hours (meetings by appointment)
Perry Demarche | Anthropology | p.demarche@rochester.edu
Perry is majoring in anthropology with minors in French and brain and cognitive sciences. She is involved in the Refugee Students Alliance, the Undergraduate Anthropology Council, and the Meridians (Rochester’s lovely tour guides). During her undergraduate career, she has done a summer study abroad in France, a summer research program in Malawi, and a semester abroad in Morocco. Please ask her about any of these experiences!
Common starting questions:
- What is anthropology?
- What can you do with an anthropology major in the “real world?”
Office hours:
- No regular office hours (meetings by appointment)
Programs:
- Monthly department brunches. Coffee and bagels are provided. This is a great, informal way to build a sense of community with faculty and peers in the department. An excellent networking opportunity!
Oleaser Johnson | Linguistics | ojohnso4@u.rochester.edu
Oleaser is majoring in linguistics and French. She is involved in the Linguistics Undergraduate Council, sociolinguistic research with Dr. Maya Ravindranath Abtahian, and has had many jobs on campus, such as a Linguistics 210 workshop leader, an RA, a D’lion, and Carlson Library student worker. Please ask her about any of these experiences!
Common starting questions:
- What is linguistics?
- What do linguists do?
- What are the requirements for the major/minor?
- What tracks exist for the major?
- Do I have to follow a track?
- How do you like your major?
Office hours:
- Wednesdays, 3 pm–4 pm in Lattimore 502.
Programs:
- Monthly department lunches. Cookies, coffee, and tea are provided, but otherwise, please bring your own bag lunch. These lunches are a great way to talk to professors in a casual environment. An excellent networking opportunity!
Julia Weisman | Psychology | jweisma2@u.rochester.edu
Julia is majoring in psychology with minors in journalism and business and a cluster in brain and cognitive sciences. She is involved in a lot of research, including Professor Davey’s PACE program and Lisa Starr’s IDEA program. She also works at the Mt. Hope Family Center with kids ages six to eleven. Please ask her about any of these experiences!
Common starting questions:
- Should I take this or that course?
- Should I major or minor?
- What are the exams like, and how can I best study for them?
Office hours:
- Mondays, 6:30 pm–7:30 pm in Meliora 450.
Advice for incoming students and first years
- “Explore. This allows you to see what you like and don’t like.” – Oleaser
- “People might tell you ‘just do whatever,’ but really, you should identify interests and take courses that relate to you.” – Julia
- “Take classes you’re interested in and try to find what you’re passionate about. Once you find what you like, the school will have more for you.” – Sophie
- “There is a lot of pressure from natural sciences and engineering, but employers want the type of people who have the skill set you get from studying the humanities.”– Oleaser
- “Talk to people.” – Oleaser
- “Check out professor bios (their research and specialties) to help decide what classes to take.” – Perry
- “Take intro level courses, because they open doors later.” – Julia
- “Remember, there’s a spot for you in this world.” – Oleaser
Advice for students interested in research
- “Talk to a professor of a class you like.” – Oleaser
- “Rip off the paper tags on ‘take-one’ flyers advertising research. It works!” – Julia
- “Read more about English research.” – Sophie
- “Read more about psychology research.” – Julia
- “Do an independent study.” – Oleaser
- “Talk to professors.” – Perry
- “Email a professor declaring your interest in their research and attach your resume.” – Sophie
- “For anthropology, check out the research program in Malawi, where there are many possible projects.” – Perry
- “Time commitments vary from 3–5 to 5–10 hours a week depending on the position.” – Oleaser
- “Be persistent.” – Julia
- “All professors are pretty willing to work with students.” – Sophie
- “Do a senior honors thesis. You can even get funding from the department!” – Perry
- “Do an independent study.” – Sophie
Words of wisdom
- “Humanities are cool—don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!” – Oleaser
- “Consider things you didn’t necessarily take in high school.” – Perry
- “Use the resources the school provides!” – Julia
- “You’re an asset. Get involved in extracurricular activities and research, and get involved early.” – Sophie
- “Think about where you want to end up, where you want to be.” – Sophie
- “Study what you love.” – Perry
Thanks Sophie, Perry, Oleaser, and Julia for all your advice!