Peer Academic Coaching for World Languages and Literatures - French

Support for WLF 101, 102, 203, 206, 208

Location: WLL Lounge - 4th Floor Palamountain

Peer Academic Coaches are available to help you develop your content knowledge and study skills. There is no need to sign up. Simply stop by!

Sun 7-9PM	Mon 7-9PM	Tues 7-9PM	Thurs 7-9PM
Madison	Sophia	Emma	Katie
Ellio	Katie	Anastasia	Elliot

Upcoming Academic sessions

'Pique-nique"- Friday, April 12th

Opportunity to eat French foods and practice French conversation skills while enjoying the nice weather.

Final Exam Study Night - Tuesday, April 30th 7-9PM

Students can come practice for their French final exams (oral and written).

meet the wll french pac team

Sophia Wittemyer '24 - PAC Captain

Majors:French and International Affairs

About Me:I am a junior and I am passionate about my studies as well as participating on the Skidmore Women’s Volleyball team. In my free time I love spending time outdoors skiing, backpacking, camping, and fly fishing. I have been learning French since my grandma read me Le Petit Prince at age 6

Why PAC?:I am so inspired by anyone being driven and passionate enough to come learn French on their own time and I want to help foster that experience. It is a privilege to share my love of the French language with my peers and to be able to further theirs as well.

Favorite Class and Why:My favorite class I’ve ever taken at Skidmore was International Affairs Paths to War and Peace with Professor Shankar. This class formulated my passion for war theory and defense studies, the field that I hope to pursue beyond college!

Academic Advice:Spend a lot of time doing your work when you find that you are the most productive. If you’ve been staring at a reading for over a half hour and aren’t retaining it, go to bed, spend time outside, or see friends, it will take you 10x longer to do in that moment rather than waiting until you’re refreshed.

Calli Frankel '25 (Abroad)

About Me: I’m a sophomore French and Psychology major, and am also a Gear Shed Manager for the Outing Club at Skidmore! I love hiking, climbing, and anything outside, along with cooking good food, and hanging out with cool people!

Why PAC?: I have always found that studying with other people is more productive because you can bounce ideas off each other and keep each other on track, along with being in a fun atmosphere. PAC is amazing because it gives all that a structure, where people who are into studying the same things can help and spend time with each other.

Favorite class and why?: My favorite class was Neuroscience 101 because it seemed so out of my wheelhouse at first, and I ended up loving everything about the course!

Academic Advice: Having a good life work balance is so important in my opinion! Making sure that you do things you love helps relieve stress, gives you a schedule to work around, and generally makes everything more fun.

Elliot Bamford '26

Majors: French and Music

About me: I’m a sophomore and love playing music and reading. I also enjoy being outside and exploring new places with friends. I’m an international student from England and have been learning French since year 3!

Why PAC?: I love learning French and have really enjoyed my classes within the department. I hope to share my enthusiasm with other students in a casual relaxed place and get to meet others who share my interests.

Favorite class and why?: My favourite class so far has been the Class Study of Jazz Piano. I’m a classical pianist so it was a great introduction to a new style of playing.

Academic advice: Studying with friends is great way to spend time with people while also working together and keeping each other accountable. Give yourself breaks to stay entertained and motivated!

Emma Jennison '24

Major: Economics Minors: Business and French Emma

About Me: I’m a senior from San Francisco, where I attended the French American International School for 11 years. This unique education gave me a deep passion for the French language and cultures. I am on the Skidmore Women’s Riding Team, and in my free time I love to ski, run, kiteboard, read, and play the guitar.

Why PAC?: I have always found that my French skills improve the most when I am able to have one-on-one interactions with people. I think PAC is a wonderful resource for students to have a similar experience, and elevate their French skills in a setting outside of the classroom.

Favorite Class and Why: My favorite class was French Cultural Conversations with Professor Zuerner. I loved this class because of the way we were able to stay up to date with current events in Francophone countries. It was a great way to gain a more colloquial understanding of the French language, and exposure to their cultures via the media.

Academic Advice: Make sure your teachers are able to put a name to your face, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Early on in the semester make sure to stop by their office hours even just to introduce yourself, because if you do end up struggling with some of the material later on, you will have already had some sort of connection/interaction with them, which will be super beneficial to your success in that class.

Katie Mastriano '24

Majors: French and International Affairs

About Me: I love to play guitar, sing, go for runs, draw/paint, and more academically, I enjoy learning languages. Along with French, I also study Mandarin and Wolof.

Why PAC?: Having held several instructing positions before, including SAS French tutoring, I love to be able to help and encourage someone else with a skill I already know. I find it inspiring when others seek further instruction.

My Favorite Class and Why: My sophomore year I took a course called Francophone Visual Cultures with Professor Matheron. I added an independent study in conjuction with it and worked on a year long paper about a film. The course opened my perspective of francophone histories through decolonial visual art.

Academic Advice: Pace yourself, take breaks, find a way to love what you do. Try to bring your best knowing that your best will fluctuate. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Anastasia Rogozinski '25

Majors: Education and English Minor: French

About Me: I am a sophomore and I love to read and bake. I like to swim and teach swim lessons over the summer. I am also the publicist for the Bene-Faction club. I have been taking French since I was in 4th grade and have always loved it!

Why PAC?: I think that having a relaxed atmosphere with your peers is a great place to study or get work done. There is no pressure of being in a classroom and getting the “right answer”. And, it is a great way to meet people in your class and other classes in that subject!

Favorite Class and Why: My favorite class was Reading in French. I loved reading, analyzing, and discussing different forms of French literature that I had never been exposed to before!

Academic Advice: Time management is super important when doing work but also outside of school work. Give yourself time to decompress by doing something non-academic that you enjoy. Afterwards, you feel refreshed, relaxed, and ready to get back into your work. Finding a balance can be hard, but it helps improve the quality of your work!

Madison Sadler '24

Majors: English and French

About Me:I love music and writing! Outside of being a PAC, I’m in an acapella group, I work as a Writing Center Tutor and Admissions Ambassador, and am the Life Section Editor for Skidmore’s Her Campus Magazine.

Why PAC?:I have always had a passion for language, and have found a home in the French department at Skidmore. The students and faculty here have always been welcoming and enthusiastic, and I hope to carry that same energy through PAC while providing a casual, yet fun study space for students.

Favorite Class and Why:My favorite class (so far!) has been Women in Crime in the English department. It was so entertaining to discuss mysteries and thrillers as part of a class, especially since that’s my favorite genre to read for fun. I also really enjoy writing workshops.

Academic Advice:Pace yourself! Starting early helps you to avoid paper pile-ups, and gives you more time to take breaks when you need them.