Academic Peer Mentoring

Working Sessions

Working Sessions are drop-in, task-driven group sessions that develop transferable skills by improving on academic skills. Stop by, bring something to work on, stay as long as you like, and book a follow-up appointment with an Academic Peer Mentor for more time.

  • MWF 1- 2:30 pm, Drop-in, LIB210E (2nd floor of Tampa Library)

All Working Sessions will run from 1 to 2:30 pm on their schedule dates. Click on the working session of interest to copy the event to a personal calendar as a reminder.

For an alternative calendar view, click on 'Month,' 'Week,' or 'Schedule' in the top right corner of the calendar.

Working Session topics  

Registration Planning and Degree Works  

This session will guide students through effective understanding and use of Degree Works to simplify registration planning. APMs will share registration tips, help students create a registration plan, and coach students through speaking with their advisor. Advisors on hand from CAS and COPH, see the schedule below. 

  • Dates:
    • 2/6
    • 2/11
    • 2/23 Natural Sciences & Pre-Health Professions advising
    • 3/11 College of Public Health & College of Arts and Sciences Information Sciences Advising
    • 3/23 College of Public Health & College of Arts and Sciences Anthropology and World Languages Advising
    • 3/27 Registration issues? Meet with an Academic Advocate
    • 4/1 Registration issues? Meet with an Academic Advocate
    • 4/10 College of Public Health & College of Arts and Sciences Information Sciences Advising
    • 4/13 College of Public Health & College of Arts and Sciences Communications Advising

Take Control: Project Manage Your Schedule 

In this session, APMs will guide students in managing their time and workload by using contemporary project management tools. Students will first identify their major 鈥淧rojects鈥 (commitments and responsibilities) and focus on scheduling their time and prioritizing their tasks.  

  • Dates: 2/2, 2/25, 4/6

Snap Back: Implementing Quick Refocusing Strategies

The first step in reclaiming your focus is identifying your distractors. Students will then work with an APM to create a plan to minimize those distractions and build the skills to quickly refocus in the moment when attention is lost. 

  • Dates: 2/20, 3/2, 4/24, 5/1 

Pitch Yourself: Personal Statements 

Partnering with the ASC Writing Studio, this session will support students in crafting personal statements with a focus on conveying themselves clearly and authentically to potential employers, graduate programs, and professional organizations. 

  • Dates: 2/18, 3/13, 4/8, 4/29, 5/6 

Cut the Noise: Managing Your Digital Load 

Students will work with APMs to identify digital spaces that are cluttered or noisy鈥攚here they are not able to identify and reasonably respond to communication or information in a timely manner. APMs will guide students to implement filters and organization/notification techniques to make those spaces work more effectively for them. 

  • Dates: 2/9, 3/4, 4/17 

Undergraduate Research First Steps 

This session is designed for students who are interested in undergraduate research but are unsure how to begin. It provides a beginner-friendly introduction to what research is, how to find opportunities, and how to take practical first steps toward getting involved. The session is interactive and hands-on, allowing students to work on individual goals with guidance from SERI Research Ambassadors. No prior research experience required. 

  • Dates: 3/9, 4/15

Undergraduate Research Conference Ready

Creating & Presenting a Research Poster 3/30

Bring your research content or poster ideas. This Working Session is designed for students who are                preparing a research poster and want guidance on design, organization, and presentation. Students              will learn best practices for creating a clear, professional poster and for confidently presenting their              research to an audience. This hands-on session allows students to work on their poster content and              presentation approach with guidance from SERI staff or Research Ambassadors. No prior poster                    experience required. 

Abstract Writing 4/22

Bring your draft abstract or research notes. This Working Session is designed for students who are                preparing a research abstract for a conference, poster, or class assignment and want support                          strengthening their writing. The session provides a clear, beginner鈥慺riendly overview of what makes an effective abstract, including core components, structure, and clarity for a general audience. This is an interactive, hands-on session where students will work on drafting or revising their abstracts with guidance from SERI staff or Research Ambassadors. No prior abstract鈥憌riting experience required.

Prevent Burnout: A Sustainable College Plan 

APMs will guide students in crafting a sustainable plan for their time in college. The goal is for the student to consider their current and potential future commitments and plan their schedules accordingly, which will include not overloading any current or future semester and appointing time for jobs, internships, and/or grad school applications in the future. 

  • Dates: 2/4, 2/13, 3/ 25, 4/3, 4/27, 5/4

Future Ready: Digital Tools for College and Beyond 

Students will be introduced to digital tools that they can use to more effectively manage their time and projects in college and continue to use in their future professional environments. 

  • Dates: 2/27, 4/20