Peer Advisers

Suggested Courses: Any Anthropology course that is taught by Holly Barker because she is an amazing Professor. Her classes are engaging and interactive inside and outside of the classroom. Some of the class assignments she has involves interaction with the community, which is always a great experience.

Best Experience at UW: I've had so many wonderful experiences since I have been here at UW and if I could list more than one the list would never end. However, one experience that I'll never forget is the football game between UW and USC my sophomore year. The whole game was intense because the score was close all throughout the game, until the last five minutes the Dawgs scored 3 points with a field goal and put us in the lead. As soon as the clock hit zero all the students rushed the field. I'll never forget the excitement of this moment and how proud I was to call myself a Husky.

Why did you become a peer adviser? I became a Peer Advisor because I love helping other students have the best experience that they possibly can here at UW. I know the transition to UW as a new student can be a little intimidating and hard, but with a little bit of help from others who have been through the same thing makes it a lot easier! I love meeting new people and being able to share with them the knowledge I have about all this campus has to offer. I am excited to start working with students and help them make their experience here at UW an amazing one.

Suggested Courses: Finance 350 with Jarrad Harford; ESS 202 Earthquakes with John Vidale

Best Experience at UW: As a freshman I had the opportunity to participate in a wonderful program called UW Leaders. It allowed me to connect with peers who inspired me to become involved on campus, and meet a very diverse, unique and driven group of UW students. Throughout the year working with this group of talented individuals on a variety of leadership projects around campus, gave me both confidence and a deep-rooted sense of Husky pride.

Why did you become a peer adviser? During my first year at the university, it was easy to feel somewhat invisible. I would like to make sure that students know the resources available to them so that they feel like an individual and not a number on a large campus. I think that benefit of attending the University of Washington, is all the programs it has in place to help students find their own niche within the school. This year, I hope to provide students with the tools to search out these opportunities and find a home at the University of Washington.

Suggested Courses: Italian 134 - Intensive Elementary Italian (best way to pick up Italian), ASIAN 203 - Literature and Culture of Ancient and Classical India (it is a great combination of Indian philosophy and literature, and the readings for this class are really interesting), POL S 270--Introduction to Political Economy

Best Experience at UW: Learning Italian on the HUB lawn in the summer. It was one of my most memorable learning experiences, figuring out a foreign language on a great sunny day.

Why did you become a peer adviser? The main motivation for me to become a peer adviser is that I enjoy working with people, and having personally gone through difficulties choosing classes and majors etc., I want to help my fellow undergraduates navigate through that process.

Suggested Courses: Biol 302 Cell/Molecular Lab Techniques; Global Health 201 Emerging Diseases; G H 401: Intro Topics in Global Health

Best Experience at UW: Although it was not technically at UW, I absolutely loved studying abroad. I went to Italy with the Italian studies program spring of my freshman year where I had some amazing experiences and met some great people that I am still friends with today. Ever since then I have caught the travel bug which has taught me a lot about myself and made my time at UW much more exciting.

Why did you become a peer adviser? I first developed an interest in advising after my sorority sisters began coming to me for advice on classes and majors, especially those studying the sciences. I have translated this interest into volunteering in classrooms and abroad, and am currently considering a career in teaching. I have found that I enjoy putting my own experience to good use in helping guide others, in the way that many before me have helped me get here today.

Suggested Courses: COM 220 Public Speaking; EDUC 360 Dream Project

Best Experience at UW: A student organization that I started, the Homeschool Advocacy Project, hosted a two-day event this spring for homeschooled students to come to campus and learn about the admissions process. After all the months of stressful logistics, it was so exciting when 45 students and their parents showed up and appreciated our work.

Why did you become a peer adviser? I can't think of a better student job than helping my fellow students get the most out of their time on this campus. I've benefited from talking to some of best advisers and my transcript and resume look so much better for it. I'm looking forward to helping others while developing my skills and gaining experience.

Suggested Courses: Intro to Public Speaking (COM 220) with Matt McGarrity, Deaf Studies (ASL 305) with Lance Forshay, and absolutely any Anthropology class with Rachel Chapman.

Best Experience at UW: Too many experiences and memories to pick just one! Being an orientation leader during the summer of 2010 was one of my best experiences. Having the opportunity to meet and welcome so many new Huskies to the school that I love and care for was an awesome experience. A close second would be Alternative Spring Break in Omak, WA through the Carlson Center.

Why did you become a peer adviser? I became a peer advisor because I would like to give back to the community that has assisted me throughout my time here at UW. Now that I've been at UW for 3 years, going on 4, I want to use the knowledge and experiences that I have gained throughout this journey to help other students enjoy and discover UW.

Suggested Courses: ENGL 284 Beginning Short Story Writing - this is a good way to get a VLPA credit when you're not particularly "artsy." Though it may be a bit of work, this was the first time I felt that writing could be fun! SOC 110 Survey Sociology - this was a great introduction to the subject of sociology. The various topics you cover are interesting and the professors who teach it are excellent and keep you engaged.

Best Experience at UW: It's hard to narrow it down to just one singular experience but my third year at UW as a whole probably tops the list. Between being an RA for the best floor at UW to studying abroad in Rome for a quarter in the spring, junior year was definitely a great overall experience. But all three years here has been filled with memorable moments of meeting new people, exploring Seattle, and hanging out with friends.

Why did you become a peer adviser? I became a peer advisor because I want to be able to give back to this school and be there for students who are trying to navigate their way through this huge school like I was. After going through seemingly endless hours of researching classes, waking up early for registration dates, applying for jobs, and choosing majors, I want to put my experience and knowledge that I have gained these past three years to good use.

Suggested Courses: I would encourage to take at least one anthropology course especially Anthropology of Food (Anth 361) and Introduction to Medical Anthropology (Anth 215). These are all very interesting!

Best Experience at UW: I have had too many great experiences, but studying abroad has by far been one of the best experiences I have had as a UW student. I have participated in four different study abroad programs and all have strengthened my academic knowledge as well as built memories for a lifetime :)

Why did you become a peer adviser? I was interested in becoming a peer adviser because I enjoy helping others. My goal is to help struggling fellow students that may need with their academics, extracurricular activities or simply informing them of all their resources that will ensure their best time at UW. Also advising is something I am very interested in doing as a professional career this is a great way to gain experience.

Suggested Courses: Psych 250, The Psychology of Racism and Minorities. This course opened my eyes to so many issues of discrimination that still exist in our society. It has made me a more well rounded person and there is no doubt that it is a class everyone at UW should try to take to better themselves. Econ 201, Macroeconomics. This class puts the world economy into perspective and comes in handy at the most unexpected times. Again, another class that can only benefit you as a person!

Best Experience at UW: My best experience at UW has been leading a FIG. It has been fun and rewarding to help new students in their first quarter at UW, I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Why did you become a peer adviser? I became a peer advisor so I can further help students at UW. Advisors have helped me so much over the years, I think without them I might be in a very different place today. I'd like to help other students the way I have been helped by advisors over my career at UW.