Guiding and Gauging

• Main Authors: Timothy Bono, Katherine E. Pei, Danielle F. Bristow
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing 2013-06-01
• Series: Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention
• Subjects: peer; leaders; academic; social; psychological; experiences
• Online Access: https://pubs.lib.umn.edu/index.php/jcotr/article/view/2830

The present study explores the extent to which peer leaders are able to accurately gauge first-year students’ transitions into university life. Over the 15 weeks of the fall semester, 93 freshmen reported on their actual academic, social, and psychological experiences during their transition; meanwhile, 63 peer leaders reported weekly on their perceptions of the freshman experiences, along with their own psychological and academic wellbeing during the semester. Overall, peer leaders were highly accurate in their perceptions of the freshman transition. Peer leaders had the lowest accuracy during weeks that were personally stressful. Recommendations are provided on how to best support and train peer mentors for optimal success.