The Peer-Led Undergraduate Studying (PLUS) Program offers structured study groups for specific upper-level courses (see PLUS Supported Courses). Students do not need to register and may attend their course’s study groups at any point in the semester to review for an exam, discuss confusing concepts, or work through practice problems. Students of the course also have the option to volunteer for the program as a facilitator of one of these groups, resulting in even more consistent engagement with the professor and course material.
The program is free and open to all students in the course. Facilitator selection typically occurs in the first week of classes, and PLUS study groups typically begin the third week of the semester.
Who Participates in PLUS
Study Group Participants include any student currently enrolled in the course – everyone is welcome! Students participate in collaborative study groups with their peers and assigned facilitators, who are also currently enrolled in the class. During their weekly study group, students will practice relevant skills, gain knowledge, and get different perspectives on course material.
Facilitators are current students enrolled in the class who have been selected to guide the study groups. They maintain a friendly yet productive environment while ensuring that attendees have a chance to both contribute and ask questions. Facilitators do their best to keep up with the material and meet weekly with the professor and an experienced peer coordinator to gain clarity on confusing concepts. However, they are not TAs or content experts. Instead, they receive ongoing training in facilitation and collaborative learning strategies throughout the semester. This is a volunteer position selected by an application during the first week of the semester; listen for an announcement during the first class and on canvas to apply!
Peer Coordinators are students who have already successfully completed the course. They lead weekly planning meetings with the professor & facilitators, create tailored study group guides to practice essential skills needed to be successful, and mentor their facilitators throughout the semester. This position also receives ongoing training throughout the semester to gain skills in facilitation, leadership, and program management. This is a paid position.
Professors of PLUS-supported courses are the content experts. They attend weekly planning meetings (20-30 minutes) with their assigned peer coordinator and facilitators and influence the study group’s agenda. They give feedback and get to know the PLUS facilitators and coordinator better while gaining valuable student feedback about their course.
Supported Courses
LUS supports challenging courses during long semesters for various departments on campus, including accounting, biology, history, and electrical and computer engineering. Supported courses vary by semester and are added to the program by request. To add PLUS to your course, contact Elliot Lopez-Finn.