Improving Academic Performance and Retention of First-Year Biology Students through a Scalable Peer Mentorship Program

Abstract

This study evaluates the performance of a near-peer mentoring program for first-year biology majors. The program’s intention is to improve student retention generally, and academic and soft skills more specifically. The effect of the program was investigated via ethnographic methods, a program-specific survey, and regression analyses.

A Review of the Literature on the Influence of Peer Support Programs on Student Mental Health and Well-Being

“…Peers who excel in subjects or courses may volunteer to tutor struggling students. Additionally, study groups facilitate collaborative learning by providing a structured platform for students to collaborate, share knowledge, and tackle academic challenges together (Wilton et al, 2021).…”