Meet the PGSG leaders

Peer-Guided Study Group Leaders are Northwestern undergraduate students who have taken and done well in the courses they support — and who are motivated to help their fellow students succeed!

Meet a few of the PGSG leaders here!

Amelia Stone

PGSG subject: Econ

What do you feel helps you be a good study group leader?

The fact that I have struggled in STEM classes at Northwestern and have sought help from peer-led academic support services helps me work with students now. I understand how it feels to struggle in courses at Northwestern, but also how to overcome those challenges and do well.

What advice do you have for Northwestern students taking STEM courses?

Ask for help! Northwestern courses in general can be difficult, especially STEM, but there are so many resources to help — joining a PGSG group, Drop-In Peer Tutoring, professor and TA office hours, or even a study group with friends from class. Asking for help, especially before the course becomes especially difficult, helps so much!

What is a quality you admire in a mentor?

The quality I admire most is listening. When a teacher or mentor truly listens and understands what is challenging and what I am having trouble with, they are able to provide the best support possible and make me as comfortable with challenge and learning as possible.

Rohan Sohini(he/him)

PGSG subject: Engineering Analysis

What do you like about being a PGSG leader?

I love working as a peer leader because it is extremely gratifying to watch students become increasingly confident in their coursework and belonging at Northwestern throughout our PGSG journey together. Seeing their success motivates me to continue improving my skills, so I can provide better sessions each week.

What advice would you offer to undergrads in STEM at Northwestern?

My largest piece of advice is to constantly think about how you can apply what you learn to questions that fascinate you. Doing this has helped me stay engaged in my classes and build meaningful connections with my professors.

What is a quality that you admire in a mentor?

The quality that I value the most in a teacher/mentor is compassion and empathy. Having a person who understands where I'm coming from and my struggles helps me feel more comfortable and engaged in the curriculum.

Preena Shroff(she/her)

PGSG Subject: Orgo

What do you feel helps you be a good study group leader?

I am the oldest of twelve cousins! Helping them with math homework and editing their essays growing up showed me that I really love teaching and explaining my mindset when problem-solving.

What advice do you have for STEM students at Northwestern?

Look for the patterns. Organic chemistry especially is focused on helping you build intuition when you are presented with a challenging problem. Focus on noticing the patterns/realizing the big picture, and each new mechanism/reaction will make more sense.

What's something you like to do in your free time?

I love doing puzzles with my friends and family. :)

Cooper Stringer

PGSG subject: Biology

What motivates you to be a PGSG leader?

I really love biology, and love to share that with others. Being a study group leader gives me an outlet to show students how cool this subject can be.

What advice would you offer Northwestern STEM students?

These classes are hard, and it can be easy to feel like your grasp of the material reflects on you. It does NOT — everybody struggles at times, but you can always learn. There are so many resources available to you, including at ASLA, so please take advantage of them.

What is a quality you admire in a teacher?

The ability to empathize with students, and understand where they're coming from. We were all first learning this stuff, too.