Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS) fosters cross-year support between learners on the same programme. PASS encourages first year students to support each other and to learn cooperatively under the guidance of trained second year students, called PASS Leaders, during weekly timetabled PASS sessions. If PASS is available on your programme, it will appear on your timetable. To get the most from your PASS sessions, make sure you enrol on the PASS Moodle page for your programme. Sessions are generally offered for the first 6 – 10 weeks of semester one.
PASS is intended to help first year students:
- adjust quickly to third level;
- acquire a clear view of course direction and expectations;
- develop their independent learning and study skills to meet the requirements of higher education;
- enhance their understanding of the subject matter of their programme through collaborative group discussion;
- prepare better for assessed work and examinations.
PASS is not:
- teaching by students;
- targeted at weak or problem students – all participants should benefit;
- a means of reducing lecturer-student contact class time;
- an environment for social chatting.
