Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS)

PALS study support sessions with highly skilled and experienced students.

Three students chatting under a tree

What is PALS?

PALS is the SCU Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS) program, a place where all SCU students can get study help from fellow students.

Because PALS Mentors are students just like you, they understand your study challenges and have some great solutions to help keep you on track. PALS Mentors can help you with planning for assessments, understanding rubrics and referencing, time management strategies, and offering you all-round support.

Group of five students studying together on the Gold Coast campus

How can I talk to a PALS Mentor? 

You can book a 30-minute online appointment with a suitable PALS Mentor any week of the term.  Booking an online PALS Mentor appointment is a great way to get fast and knowledgeable support in a private setting with a fellow student. 

Can any SCU student book time with a PALS Mentor?

Any student enrolled in a Southern Cross University unit can book a 30-minute online study support appointment with a PALS Mentor. There are 2 types of appointments:

PALS Peer Support Check-ins

These appointments are available to all enrolled SCU students. They are scheduled for 5.30pm or 6.00pm Monday to Friday, AEST (QLD) time. Simply book a PALS Peer Support Check-in on your preferred day and time.

Book your PALS Peer Support Check-in

PALS Support Sessions for Targeted Units

Some students studying specific units may need extra support, so each term these units are allocated a carefully-chosen PALS Mentor who has already succeeded in that unit.

Term 1 2025 Targeted Units
Unit code Unit title
EDUC6009 Professional Experience IV - Secondary
TCHR3001 Early Childhood Matters
LAWS2016 Evidence
HLTH1004 The reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
EDUC1006 Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line
EDUC3011 English Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy II
OCCU1002 Personal Care Occupations
HLTH1006 Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice
LEGL1001 Legal Research and Writing
LAWS2013 The Legal Profession
ENGN1005 Planning and Delivering Engineering Projects

Book your targeted unit PALS Support Session

Meet the PALS Mentors

Bethany Ferguson profile picture

Bethany Ferguson

Bethany is a third-year Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood/Primary) and believes learning is often greatly achieved through collaboration. She is excited to work alongside you to develop your study strategies, time management skills and success tools to help you achieve your goals for your degree. From her experience, Bethany is aware of the pressure, uncertainty, unknowingness, confusion, and instability that can come with starting university and balancing work, life, and study.

Emmeline Eastwell profile picture

Emmeline Eastwell

Emmeline is completing a Bachelor of Science specialising in Regenerative Agriculture, her second degree after a BASc (Optometry) through QUT. Her work history includes private practice as well as providing eye care to indigenous communities in Australia and PNG. Emmeline has learned the value of peer support and collaborative learning since facing the challenge of balancing work and life with studying online in the SCU model. She is passionate about helping others gain confidence and skills.

Paul Klievens profile picture

Paul Klievens

Paul is completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws double degree, returning to study after completing various vocational and academic qualifications in a range of sectors. He has a passion for mentoring and is focused on working smarter, not harder. He can guide you in developing effective study skills and habits, such as time management strategies and efficient note-taking techniques that will make learning more enjoyable and less stressful.

Tim Browne profile pic

Tim Browne

Tim is completing a Bachelor of Education (Primary/Secondary) and has loved wrapping his head around the SCU 6 x 6 teaching model, working out how to effectively cover the course materials and complete the assessments while balancing other life commitments. He shares what he is learning with his two primary-school-aged children, who inspire him to try new things and encourage me to keep going and stretch my comfort zones. He plans to share that encouragement along with his practical experience.

Tina Heiberg profile picture

Tina Heigberg

Tina is a third-year Occupational Therapy student, who completed a Public Relations degree 30 years ago, and has 36 years’ experience in people-focused roles. Being a second-year mentor who extensively utilised PALS in her first year, Tina attributes her success to the support she received. Tina believes that individuals are best supported through active listening, encouragement, and capacity-building through instilling confidence in existing capabilities, mixed in with a bit of gentle guidance.

Zoie Symons profile picture

Zoie Symons

Zoie is a fourth-year Bachelor of Engineering Systems (Coastal Systems) Student and was a PALS mentor last year. She is very passionate about all things science and the way our natural systems work and enjoys inspiring others to feel the same way. Zoie understands the study stress of navigating university with life and work and aims to empathise with students from a student perspective, listen to any concerns, and can help you reach out for further help if needed.

Kadie Vignes profile pic

Kadie Vignes

Kadie is a second-year Psychological Science student aiming for a Masters in Clinical Psychology. With her background in support work and uni experience balancing academic and personal commitments, she understands students' challenges. Kadie provides an accomodating and empathetic environment, working cooperatively with students to address underlying struggles and break down challenges into manageable steps, helping them feel less overwhelmed and more confident in their ability to succeed.

Elaine Martin profile picture

Elaine Martin

Third-year education student studying Bachelor of Primary/Early Education. Completing my degree as a mature-aged student and a mum of two small children, originally from the UK and now an Australian citizen. Looking forward to sharing my passion for education and time management techniques. Helping others to juggle study alongside family/personal life and helping you to achieve your study goals.

Daniel Frayne profile pic

Daniel Frayne

Daniel is in his final year of Associate degree of Engineering (Mechanical). He is a surfer and guitar player, always looking for a roadtrip to take the surf van. Before starting university, he was a chef, but he put in the time and hard work and did well in his course. For anyone struggling in their units, Daniel offers not only study techniques or engineering theory but also support during their studies. He knows the stress and pressure university can put on us as students and is here to help.

Nicole Fitch profile pic

Nicole Fitch

Nicole is a third-year Occupational Therapy student with a background as a yoga therapist in a mental health hospital. She naturally motivates and supports others, drawing on her empathy, compassion, and enthusiasm for learning. Nicole values balancing the body, mind, and spirit and prioritises helping others find strategies to prevent burnout. She is passionate about sharing study techniques, offering guidance, and encouraging her peers to believe in themselves and achieve their goals.

Kim Shaddick profile pic

Kim Shaddick

Kim is in the final year of her law degree and has a strong academic background with a PhD in science. Kim is passionate about environmental and human rights law and is dedicated to creating positive change for people and the planet. She understands the challenges of managing complex legal concepts, deadlines, and competing commitments, and is eager to support fellow students by sharing strategies for effective legal research, critical analysis, and time management to help them succeed.

Robert Lucivero profile pic

Robert Lucivero

Robert is a fourth-year Bachelor of Education (Primary) student with a Business Administration Marketing diploma and a Cert III in Maritime Operations. Originally from Canada, Robert has been living in Australia for the last eleven years. From his own study struggles, Robert understands the mental roadblocks that can hold us back from success, and he is eager to share with students the time management, study and assessment techniques that he has developed which allow him to thrive at university.

Leighanne McHugh profile pic

Leighanne McHugh

After commencing with SCU’s Bachelor of Social Work in 2022, Leighanne decided to transfer full time into the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge in 2024. As a proud Gamillaroi woman, family and community are foremost to Leighanne, and she believes in the immense capacity to grow through collective learning. Leighanne is looking forward to sharing her broad experiences to assist you in exploring time management and study techniques specific to your learning journey.

Thomas Byrne profile pic

Thomas Byrne

Thomas is a final-year Bachelor of Laws student, having already completed a BA Double Major (Honours) in International Relations and Justice Studies. Thomas experienced the challenge of transitioning from 12-week to 6-week terms at SCU and has a strong appreciation for how this requires effective time management and exam study techniques. He took a keen interest in PALS mentoring after using PALS in 2024. When not studying, he is either jogging, listening to music, or travelling.

Contact PALS

T: 1800 SC HELP (1800 72 4357)

E: PALS@scu.edu.au

Are you a student needing help?

Security and support services

1800 SC HELP / 1800 72 4357