What I Learned as a Peer Coach: Adapting, Connecting, and Growing
This year as a peer coach taught me more than I ever expected, not just about helping others, but about growing myself. Going into it, I knew I could connect with people pretty easily, but I didn’t realize how important it would be to truly adapt to each student’s needs and build real relationships in the process.
Whether I was working with seniors who needed help completing their FAFSA or navigating the confusing steps of college applications, or I was encouraging freshmen to start thinking about life after high school, I learned to meet every student where they were. I realized early on that a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t work. Every student is different, and what they need is someone who takes the time to understand that.
Looking back, one of the things I’m most proud of is how I personalized my support to fit each student. Some needed structure, some needed reminders, and some just needed to talk through what they wanted to do with their future. And in every case, my job wasn’t to give them all the answers—it was to help them discover their next step with confidence.
One thing that surprised me the most was how much of this role was simply about learning who the students were. At first, I thought most of the work would be logistical: forms, deadlines, scholarships. But I quickly realized that real coaching starts with real conversations. It’s about listening first, then guiding. That human connection, showing up for someone not just with knowledge, but with patience and encouragement, makes all the difference.
What People Don’t Realize About the College Process
A lot of students (and even some adults) don’t realize how overwhelming the college-going process can be today. There’s so much more to it than just applying. It’s a journey that includes understanding financial aid, making decisions about fit, completing multiple steps after acceptance, and maybe most importantly believing you're capable of going in the first place.
There’s also this myth that everyone has it all figured out. The truth is, most students don’t. And that’s okay. Part of my job was helping students see that college doesn’t have to be a scary or unreachable thing and that even small steps matter.
Advice for Future Peer Coaches
If you’re stepping into this role next year, here’s my biggest piece of advice: be open. Be open to the different ways students need help. Be open to learning how to reach them. And most importantly, be open to growing alongside them.
Know your audience. If you’re talking to freshmen, you can’t treat it like a lecture, they need something engaging and fun to stay interested. If you’re helping a senior who’s tired of hearing about scholarships, don’t just push, it helps to show them how it benefits them and make it easier by walking them through it. Meet them where they’re at.
Being a peer coach isn’t just about checking boxes or completing tasks. It’s about showing students they’re not alone in this. That someone sees them, hears them, and believes in them.
