Peer Connections Academic Peer Mentors

Journey A.
Name: Journey Anderson
Major: Psychology
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… how to add classes and drop classes. Specifically, when it comes to adding classes I wish I had known there was a specific roadmap I could reference in my first semester.
  • My best strategy for college success is… ask questions! As the saying goes, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. In the long run, asking questions will evoke higher levels of clarification and comprehension! It can feel intimidating but it will help your overall success.

Name: Angel Arroyo
Major: Kinesiology
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… how to immerse myself in campus life sooner. 
  • My best strategy for college success is… to rest and be consistent with everything you do, even if you don't want to do it. 

Name: Christy Babatola
Major: Public Health
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… about the many resources available at the Library and Writing Center.
  • My best strategy for college success is… take out time to study by myself, get the assignments done before the deadline, talk a lot with members of my cohort on how they are getting the work done.

Surabhi B.
Name: Surabhi Bage
Major: Data Science
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… about Peer Connections earlier.
  • My best strategy for college success is… to never give up! 

Jocelyn C.
Name: Jocelyn Cabrera
Major: Biology
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… how fast time would pass and to enjoy every moment, event, and friends throughout this journey.
  • My best strategy for college success is… learning how to efficiently study.

Brendy C.
Name: Brendy Chavez
Major: Social Work
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… that it’s okay to ask for help and that there are so many resources designed to support students, especially first-generation students. Building connections with professors and advisors early on makes a huge difference, not just academically but emotionally.
  • My best strategy for college success is… stay organized and ask for help the moment you need it. I rely on a planner to keep track of deadlines, work, and personal responsibilities, which helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed. I also make it a point to reach out to professors, advisors, and campus resources early on — it’s better to speak up than struggle in silence.

Danino C.
Name: Danino Corsis
Major: Systems Physiology
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… how important it is to build connections early on. I struggled in my first semester but by having a well rounded support system of faculty members, peers, and family, I was able grow both academically and personally. Don't be afraid to reach out, ask for help, or get involved. Your support system can make all the difference.
  • My best strategy for college success is… being proactive about my education. Always being one step ahead ensures you never fall behind. 

Name: Chinmayee Gokhale
Major: Social Science
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… that things are always changing. This can be stressful, but it’s also really cool to be able to look back at your growth.
  • My best strategy for college success is… to talk to people, including professors. You’ll build a network that you can reach out to for help, like when things don't sense, or you missed class, or want someone to review your work, etc. You will also make real connections this way that create a sense of community and camaraderie- and those things are genuinely necessary. Don’t be in the Work And Go Home Club if you can avoid it.

Ryan H.
Name: Ryan Hamrock
Major: Psychology
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… that I would need to know how to study and teach myself topics we are learning in class.
  • My best strategy for college success is… to work at my own pace and not overwhelm myself.

Name: Karly Ice-Crespo
Major: Biochemistry
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… how important it is to make connections with fellow students and faculty. Building a community at SJSU is an important part of college success. 
  • My best strategy for college success is… to make sure to dedicate time to personal well-being, along with academic responsibilities. 

Name: Sam Lizarraga
Major: Forensic Science
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… more about the on campus resources that were available to me as a student, like mental health resources or academic resources. I feel like I should have taken more advantage of these opportunities earlier in the year but I’m glad I got to know more about these as I experienced more time on campus. 
  • My best strategy for college success is… to get involved and do what works best for you. I think getting into the flow of college can be overwhelming at first especially coming out of high school. But what helped me most was to make friends and focus on what I was passionate about which was my academics and creating a balanced social life. I got to try new things and get involved in new clubs I never would have thought of joining but that’s the beauty of getting to know yourself in college. 

Ri-Ri M.
Name: Ri-Ri Manio
Major: Psychology
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known…
  • My best strategy for college success is…

Name: Luzmaria Matias
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… how essential time management is, especially as an incoming student having to adapt to a more fast-paced learning environment. 
  • My best strategy for college success is… creating a schedule by updating my calendar and noting all of my upcoming assignments for the week on a notepad. I created a separate spreadsheet for due dates of all midterms, essays, projects, and presentations. This way I was able to prioritize assignments with a closer due date and map out a study schedule for midterms.

Adam M.
Name: Adam Mejia
Major: Computer Engineering
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known…
  • My best strategy for college success is… 

Nick O.
Name: Nick Oh
Major: Materials Engineering
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… how important making conncections would be. I found that a lot of people I met, both in and outside of my major, helped a ton with giving me a sense of belonging and helped find different opportunities to add on to my college experience.
  • My best strategy for college success is… making everything from studying to going to class fun to keep me motivated. Studying and hanging out with my friends made the toughest courses significantly less stressful and helped fill gaps in each others' knowledge. 

Archi P.
Name: Archi Patel
Major: Computer Science, Linguistics
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… to make as many friends as you can and attend as many events as you can on campus.
  • My best strategy for college success is… be open to learning new things, Stay focused on your end goal (where do you see yourself at the time of graduation).

Luisa T.
Name: Luisa Torres
Major: Psychology
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… that there is a place for every interest, hobby, background, and aspiration. You have to do your best to leave your comfort bubble and explore; it’s hard, but it’ll be worth it!
  • My best strategy for college success is… attend class, prioritize your duties (by due date, time commitment, etc.), ask questions and talk to people! 

Name: Karina Wong
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Role: Academic Peer Mentor

  • When I started at SJSU, I wish I had known… that it’s okay not to get perfect grades all the time. Especially in STEM classes, success comes more from consistent practice and understanding than trying to get everything right the first time. It’s also okay to seek help whether that’s from peers, tutors, or online resources when you’re stuck.

    I also wish I had a better understanding of balance. While attending class is important, taking care of your well-being matters just as much. Learning how to manage your time and prioritize your mental health can make a big difference in your overall success.

    Lastly, I wish I had stayed more involved in at least one club or community. As a freshman, I joined several clubs but ended up dropping all of them because I felt overwhelmed. Looking back, I think it would have helped to commit to just one group where I could build connections and feel a sense of community.
  • My best strategy for college success is… staying consistent with practice, especially for STEM classes. Working through problems regularly helps build a deeper understanding and makes exams much more manageable.

    I also believe it’s important to surround yourself with people who support and motivate you. Being part of a community whether through classes, study groups, or clubs can help you stay accountable and continue growing.

    Finally, staying involved and being open to new opportunities can really shape your college experience. Trying new things and stepping out of your comfort zone not only helps with personal growth but also teaches you how to manage your time and priorities effectively.