Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS)

PALS study support sessions with highly skilled and experienced students.

Three students chatting under a tree

What is PALS?

Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS) is a free service that connects SCU students with experienced fellow students for advice, guidance, and encouragement.

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 assist with:

  • Understanding assessment requirements and rubrics
  • Planning assignments and study schedules
  • Time management and organisation
  • Effective study strategies
  • Navigating university life
  • Building confidence and staying motivated

While PALS Mentors can help you develop your academic skills, they do not provide answers to assessments or proofread your work.

student looking up from laptop smiling

Book a PALS Appointment

Any student enrolled at Southern Cross University can book a free 30-minute online appointment with a PALS Mentor.

You should try to choose a mentor who best aligns with your discipline or study area. This helps you connect with a mentor who understands the learning approaches, assessment expectations, and study practices common in your field.

Discipline/Area PALS Mentors who can assist
Science, Engineering and Technology Ehab Kotb
Liisa Rusanen
Business and Law Paul Klievens
Sarah Blackman
Education Grace Bryson
Humanities and Social Sciences Ashley Doolan
Nursing and Midwifery Skye Minogue
Allied Health (Health Science) Georgie Coghlan
Allied Health (OT, Physio, Speech Pathology) Tina Heiberg
Skye Minogue
Lauren Gleeson
Psychology, Social Work and Human Services

Mariela Gomez
Kadie Vignes
Yovela Cox
Paul Klievens

If you can't find an available appointment with your preferred mentor, you can to book with any PALS Mentor. All PALS Mentors are equipped to provide general support.

Book a PALS appointment
Group of students in class

Looking for support in a specific unit?

Some PALS Mentors also support units participating in the Embedded Unit Program (EUP). This will be communicated in the MySCU unit site of those units.

Meet the PALS Mentors

Paul Klievens profile picture

Paul Klievens

Paul is completing his Bachelor of Laws (Honours), having previously completed degrees in Accounting, Psychological Science and Law, along with diploma-level qualifications across various disciplines. Drawing on over 30 years of mentoring experience, Paul takes a flexible, student-centred approach to support individual academic goals. He views academic success as developing over time and encourages students to see study as a journey of continuous improvement rather than immediate perfection.

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.

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 accommodating 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.

picture of Mariela Gomez

Mariela Gomez

Mariela is a second-year SCU Social Work student with prior psychology study. Having navigated university at different life stages, she understands changing pathways and balancing study with responsibilities. As a neurodivergent mentor and mother of six, including neurodivergent young people, she brings lived experience and supports students to recognise their strengths, build confidence, and succeed in ways that work for them.

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.

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Ashley Doolan

Ashley is a second-year Bachelor of Social Work student and a PALS leader. As a single mother, she understands the challenges of balancing family, social life, and university study. She is passionate about creating a supportive, inclusive space where students feel confident to ask questions, build healthy study habits, and stay motivated. Through PALS, she shares practical strategies, encourages collaboration, and helps students feel connected and capable in their academic journey.

Picture of Liisa Rusanen

Liisa Rusanen

Liisa is completing her final year of a Bachelor of Science (Marine Systems) and will begin Honours in mid-2026. She is passionate about the natural world, scientific research, and conservation. As a busy mother, she understands the challenges of balancing study and family. In her first year, she accessed PALS to build strong study habits. Raising teenage children has strengthened her understanding of different learning styles and the importance of empathy and collaboration.

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Georgie Coghlan

Georgie is a second-year Health Science student working towards a Master’s of Naturopathic Medicine. This is her second degree, having completed a Bachelor of Interior Design 20 years ago. She is also a qualified life and health coach, running a small business that supports people to identify their values and priorities, structure their lives, manage stress, build organisational skills, and help easily distracted minds to focus.

picture of Sarah Blackman

Sarah Blackman

Sarah is a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) student with experience in the legal industry and a strong passion for supporting fellow students. She understands the challenges of navigating university life while developing professional skills and managing competing commitments. Sarah enjoys helping students feel confident, supported, and informed, and is keen to share insights, offer guidance, and help others make the most of their university experience.

picture of Lauren Gleeson

Lauren Gleeson

Lauren is a third-year Speech Pathology student who understands how daunting the first few years of university can be. She aims to support students navigating their studies by sharing practical study tips and strategies she wishes she had known when she first began university. Committed to lifelong learning, with a particular interest in pursuing research alongside clinical practice after graduation, Lauren brings empathy, organisation, and adaptability to her mentoring approach.

picture of Ehab Kotb

Ehab Kotb

Ehab is an Egyptian second-year Master’s by Research student with a background in Construction and Architectural Engineering. His research explores using VR and technology in construction training. Passionate about self-development and productivity, he enjoys supporting others to build soft skills, set meaningful goals, and achieve them through strong habits and discipline.

Picture of Grace Bryson

Grace Bryson

Grace is a second-year Bachelor of Education student at Southern Cross University, passionate about creating positive learning experiences and supporting students to succeed. She aims to create a welcoming space where students feel comfortable asking questions as they navigate university life. Outside of study, she loves travelling, reading, and spending time at the beach. She looks forward to working with you this year!

Skye Minogue

Skye is a 3rd-year Occupational Therapy student who began at SCU in 2020 during COVID. After completing the Preparing for Success course, she started Nursing before changing degrees. Having used Inclusion Support, PALS, and Learning Advisors, she understands student challenges firsthand. With experience in aged care and support work, she is empathetic, easy-going, and passionate about helping students build confidence and succeed.

PALS Mentor Yovela (Yovi) Cox

Yovela (Yovi) Cox

Yovela (Yovi) is a second-year Bachelor of Psychological Science student with an interest in performance psychology. Having studied online, she understands the challenges of balancing university with other commitments and knows that study can sometimes feel overwhelming. She enjoys supporting fellow students by sharing practical strategies for approaching assessments, managing time, and staying motivated, while helping them feel more confident in achieving their study goals.

student studying with laptop showing online meeting

Virtual Focus Room

Your body doubling community

When: Daily, Weeks 2-7 each term.

Where: Online via Zoom (book to receive link)

Find out more View sessions and book

Virtual Focus Room

Virtual Focus Room: Your body doubling community

Need dedicated time to focus on your studies? Join our Virtual Focus Room, a supportive online study session that combines structured study time with the benefits of body doubling. Studying alongside others can help boost motivation, reduce procrastination, and make independent study feel less isolating.

What to Expect:
  • 25-minute Pomodoro-style focused study blocks
  • Regular 5-minute breaks between blocks
  • Quiet online body doubling environment

Whether you're working on assignments, readings, revision, or other study tasks, the Virtual Focus Room provides dedicated time and structure to help you gain momentum and make progress. Join for all or part of the session; cameras are encouraged but always optional. Book and attend as many sessions as you wish.

Virtual Focus Room Session times weeks 2-6
Monday  Tuesday  Wednesday  Thursday Friday
11am -1pm 8am - 12pm 10am - 12pm 12 - 2pm 9 - 11am
5 - 7pm 2 - 4pm 1 - 3pm 5 - 7pm  

View sessions and book in UniHub

Virtual Focus Room Session times week 7
Monday  Tuesday 
11am -1pm 8am - 12pm
5 - 7pm 2 - 4pm

View sessions and book in UniHub

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