Come to The FILL Open House on Wednesday!

Have you found your spot on campus? Students in Focused Inquiry are encouraged to take advantage of The FILL (Focused Inquiry Learning Lounge), a space in Harris Hall for studying and socializing. It's on the fifth floor in Room 5116, right across from the main elevators. The FILL is open every weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

At points throughout the day, FILL Peer Mentors are present and can meet with students who walk in (view their availability on Navigate)! Peer Mentors offer you individualized assistance with your Focused Inquiry (UNIV) coursework. The FILL also has computers and a printer that you can use and loans out equipment like noise-cancelling headphones. There are multiple rooms within The FILL so that you're sure to find a quiet corner all to yourself or a space to work in groupsÔÇöwhichever you prefer!

If you haven't checked out The FILL yet, you have the perfect opportunity this week. We're holding an open house from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30. Everyone is invited to get cozy with a hot beverageÔÇöcoffee, tea, and hot chocolate providedÔÇöand meet the staff of The FILL and the FILL Peer Mentors. Join in on board games and video games or just pop in for a relaxing break. You may even make some new friends!
 

Peer Mentoring Course for Spring 2023
 

 

To give a better idea of what this peer mentoring course (UNIV 391-002) is and what you could gain from it, I interviewed Venkat Katrapati, one of our current FILL Peer Mentors who took the class!
 
Venkat Katrapati, a current peer mentor, took this class before he joined the team over a year ago. When asked how this course prepared him for his current role, Venkat cited the emphasis placed on learning how to empathize with and support students from different educational backgrounds. As UNIV 111, 112, and 200 are typically taken by students in their freshman and sophomore years, this course discusses how peer mentors can contribute to a student's sense of belonging within the university community. Venkat described learning about how this sense of belonging can directly correlate with academic success. His class looked at case studies and engaged in discussions about the challenges faced by students making the transition from high school to college. He feels this experience has left him better equipped to provide specific support to any student he meets with.
 
In addition to the focus on student belonging and experience, Venkat learned about effective resource creation. For his course project, he developed a lesson plan that focused on hidden curriculum topics that students might not have learned in high school. He said, "The resource creation aspect of the class forced me to address the root causes of student belonging in college, not simply discuss it."
 
The small class size and potential progression to paid work as a mentor were incentives for Venkat. He expressed appreciation for the in-depth discussions he had with his classmates, attributing his ability to deeply engage with the material to the smaller class size. By the end of the class, Venkat had a greater understanding of the value of peer-to-peer support. Students may often feel intimidated when asking their professors for help. Peer mentoring can offer a different type of support: students often find it easier to ask for help from someone who's been through the class before them. Venkat remarked, "The peer mentoring program and other initiatives like it on campus, help students create a new support system at college."
 
When asked about the benefits of this course, Venkat brought up adaptability, quick thinking, communication, and presentation skills--skills applicable to any major or career. He believes the proficiencies developed in this class (as well as his subsequent work as a peer mentor) easily translates into his future career aspirations. As an aspiring doctor, Venkat has shadowed several doctors this semester. He believes that the best doctors are effective communicators, able to adapt their wording and speech depending on the individual patient.
 
If you are interested in becoming a part of VCU's networks of peer support and wish to advance your skills or interests in communication, leadership, and educational equity, consider joining us for an info session taking place on Zoom on Thursday, December 1 at 2:00 p.m.
 

Join a Focus Group and Share your Insights on VCU Common Book Events
 

Just two more weeks of classes this semester!