Peer Academic Coaching for Chemistry

Sarah Sinnott '24 - PAC Captain

Major: Chemistry  

About Me: I'm from a small town in Vermont and like to crochet and do crafts in my free time.

Why PAC?: I have found PAC invaluable in classes I've struggled in in the past.  I find that sometimes my learning style can be slightly different from others, and I want to share my strategies with others who may find them helpful.  I also think that the best measure of if you truly know something is if you can teach it to others.

Fav Class and Why: I loved Organic Chemistry II with Dr. Anna Brezny because of the mechanistic focus of it.  It really helped me understand previous concepts learned in Organic 1 and tied everything together nicely.

Academic Advice: Start everything early, especially studying.  In both organic classes, I would start studying 2 weeks prior to an exam for an hour each day and found I had plenty of time to review all the material, so I didn't have to cram the day before.

Cormac Feeley '25

Major: Chemistry       

About me: I'm from Berwick, Maine. In my free time I love playing board games, listening to music, and rock climbing.

Why PAC?: I really love the mission statement of PAC and think it is really important to create this valuable study space for students. I think people often underestimate the power of working through a problem with your peers and I'm excited to help facilitate that space.

Favorite Class and Why?: I absolutely adored Organic Chemistry II. I loved how it expanded on the foundations of organic to show you the different reactions and applications of organic chemistry. 

Academic Advice: Remember to take things one step at a time. It's important to plan out your work but make sure not to get bogged down with how much there is. If you only focus on how much there is to do, you'll never get anything done.

Ruby Epstein '25

Major: Biochemistry   

About Me: I’m from Brooklyn NY. In my free time I love going on walks in Northwoods, learning new recipes, and  playing tabletop games with friends.

Why PAC?: I have benefited so much from attending PAC, and I am excited to share the collaborative learning process as a PAC coach. I have found that there is nothing more satisfying than talking through a hard problem until it all makes sense.

Favorite class and why?: I loved Organic Chemistry I. Learning about the fundamental principles guiding organic reactions was fascinating and it really solidified my choice to pursue a chemistry major.

Academic Advice: Dedicate space to studying. There are many time management techniques for focus out there, but I have found the most useful piece of advice has been to find a location that is only for studying to get you into the right headspace.

Lyra Flinn '25 (Abroad)

Major: Chemistry    

About Me: I'm from Eugene, Oregon. I love spending time outside doing just about anything, but especially hiking, skiing, and camping! I also enjoy road tripping and have been getting very into cooking. 

Why PAC: As a freshman, I really benefitted from the work environment PAC created. Even if I didn't have a specific question, PAC was always a productive space. I am excited to give other students this same space!

Favorite Class and Why: My favorite class so far has been CH 125. I loved getting to be in an actual lab after online school, and the class really sparked my interest in chemistry! 

Academic Advice: Find peers to work with. Everybody's brain works a little differently, so be open to learning from your classmates as well as your professors. And it can make studying more fun!

Haru Kato '24

Major: Biochemistry    

About me: I am from Princeton NJ, but my family just recently relocated to North Carolina. Some of my favorite things to do are biking, cooking food, and eating!

Why PAC?: Before I became a PAC, I used to go to PAC a lot. There is no pressure of disappointing anyone, its free, and you can ask about anything. Even things not associated with the topic. PAC is a great learning environment where you can discuss things from worksheets in class to what your favorite d-hall cookie is.

Favorite classes and why: My favorite class was Organic Chemistry II. It was a class where everyone was already trained in the language of Organic chemistry, so discussion was very enjoyable with my friends. It also connected concepts from Orgo I which made the class even more interesting.

Academic Advice: If you don’t have the motivation to do something, try doing the assignment for just 10 minutes. Usually that kick starts my motivation. Besides that, try to use a calendar to mark down quizzes and tests so you don’t forget about them!

Elizabeth Scholer '24 

Major: Chemistry   Minor: Environmental Studies and Sciences    

About me: I'm from Rochester, N.Y. and I like to hike, read, and listen to music!  I also help out with the Chemistry teaching labs and participate in research.

Why PAC?: I find PAC super helpful with classes that aren't my strong suit and it's a welcoming environment to do work in when you have no idea what's going on.

Favorite Class: I really enjoyed Organic Chemistry 2 and expanding on what I need in Orgo 1 and how this connected to the research I was doing.

Academic Advice: Using a planner and a reminders app to keep track of things and stay organized has helped me a lot!

Jonathan Sonstein '26    

Major: Biochemistry      

About me: I am from NYC.  I like watching/playing sports and spending time with friends and family.

Why PAC?: I benefited from PAC ever since my first semester of freshman year. It’s an overall great environment and helpful academically.

Favorite classes and why: My favorite class was Organic Chemistry I. I found the materials and mechanisms fascinating and I loved how all the content built up on each other.

Academic Advice: Try not to wait until the last minute to study for a test or to start an assignment. I would say the key is to get a head start on the material and do a little bit day by day. Always practice problems until you are fully comfortable and never be afraid to seek help.