The College of Education’s peer advising pilot program, which gives students an outlet to discuss academic questions and concerns with fellow students, wrapped up its first year, according to an April 2 article.

Peer advisors answer questions at the front desk of the George I. Sanchez Building from students and parents all about the College of Education. Peer advisors are trained on an array of advising topics, but also draw from their own college experiences to create well-rounded guidance for students, according to the college’s article.

“I feel like some students come in with the worry of (talking) to an adult that probably doesn’t understand what (they’re) going through,” said Vianey Sanchez, a bilingual education and sociology junior, and a peer advisor. “(The program allows) more students to come in for advising because they have a student helping them.”

Students can choose to speak with peer advisors either by going to the front desk or scheduling a private meeting. Audrey Kaden, a health promotion and behavioral science sophomore and a peer advisor, said the program is an easier point of contact than the College of Education staff advisors because students answer questions quicker.

“The most rewarding part is seeing the relief on students’ faces if they had something that was really troubling them or something they were really confused about,” Kaden said. “We can clear it up so quickly because sometimes it is much simpler than it may appear.”

Daisy Ojigho, an applied movement science junior and a peer advisor, said she struggled academically during her first semester at UT but was able to improve her grades with help from her advisors. Ojigho said she wishes the peer advising program was available during her freshman year.

“Speaking to students who (were) in the classes that I was going to take … would have definitely helped me a lot,” Ojigho said. “I would have been in that office every other day trying to speak to a peer advisor if I knew that the program existed.”

Ojigho said UT’s motto “what starts here changes the world” seamlessly aligns with the program.

“It might not seem like we’re changing the world right now, but we’re going to advise students that (will) go on to be the next CEO of the biggest company in America,” Ojigho said. “We’re definitely making an impact on people that will make an impact on the world.”