The ultimate study group: What's the PASS Program?

For over 13 years, the Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) Program has been helping students strengthen their learning outcomes and build confidence in their courses with innovative, peer-led study sessions. This year, the PASS Program was recognized with a University of Calgary Teaching Award, celebrating its role in fostering student success and engagement. “This award recognizes the efforts of the PASS leaders past and present in supporting their fellow students, through sharing their experience and modelling how to be a successful student,” says Steve Mason, Manager of Learning Support Programs at the Chancellor Cuthbertson Student Success Centre. 

From its initial launch in 2011, the program has expanded to provide support for courses in most faculties, such as Arts, Kinesiology, Science, Schulich School of Engineering, and Haskayne School of Business. On average, over 1700 students each term have attended PASS sessions, making it one of the biggest and longest-running study groups on campus. It’s one of the many academic supports provided by the Chancellor Cuthbertson Student Success Centre, which also performs academic support, exploratory advising, writing assistance, and many other workshops and events that support student learning.

Peers supporting peers

PASS provides free, collaborative study sessions throughout the fall and winter terms. Unlike traditional tutoring, PASS is not remedial support—it’s open to all students in select courses, recognizing that some subjects naturally present challenges. Sessions are designed to complement lectures, and provide an environment where students feel comfortable, and more open to discuss and apply their learning.

Nadah H., a second-year student in the Faculty of Science and PASS leader, remarked on the growth she’s witnessed in the students who attend her PASS sessions. “The students that come to my sessions are never just looking for the answer to a question—they ask me questions to understand application,” she says. “They’re super comfortable asking questions because I think they view me as a peer, which is a major aspect of PASS. That [peer-to-peer] interaction is strong.”

Joining a PASS session has led to measurable academic improvements, such as:

• Students who attend PASS outperform their peers in the same class by an average of one grade increment (0.30 GPA increase)
• The rate of failing (D, F, or withdrawal) is cut by more than 50% for PASS attendees
• Multiple session attendance leads to even greater improvements in academic performance

All sessions are facilitated by PASS leaders; students who previously excelled in the course. They also reap the rewards of this peer-led program: “I feel like I have improved my pedagogical skills so much,” says Nadah. “Everyone that comes to my sessions learns so differently and it forces me to redesign and rethink my approach […] the more learning styles I’m given the opportunity to understand, the more I can help my students.”