For first year students, the first few weeks of college can feel daunting. Moving away from home, making new friends, finding your way across campus and adjusting to an unfamiliar schedule, academic responsibilities and social activities leaves many people feeling overwhelmed. Fortunately, at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, first year students have peer support through the Links program.

Fourth-year student, Jaimilee Dresser, remembers feeling nervous during her first semester at CNHS and the comfort and friendship provided by her Link peer mentor. Dresser became a Link so she could help other students feel successful during their first year of college.

“This campus is big, and you can feel lost coming in. Even though I went to a big high school, I was not ready for finding my way around UVM,” Dresser said. “My Link gave me a tour of the campus and pointed out how to get from one class to another and the best routes to get there. She helped me feel like I belonged on campus.”

Dresser and her Link got to know each other over potluck dinners with other Links and Linkees, and they all became fast friends. That kinship helped Dresser feel comfortable on campus and in classes.

“We did things together and expanded our group so that more Linkees could get to know each other. Knowing people and seeing a familiar face in a class helps you feel at home,” Dresser said.

Dresser became a Link in her second year to share her campus experience and help incoming students feel at home. When, as a junior, she was offered the opportunity to become a Link staff assistant, she leapt at the chance, and she has held that post through her senior year. She works closely with Links program coordinator and academic advisor, Juan Florencia.

“I help plan and coordinate events send out emails to the Link mentors and make sure the relationships between the Links and Linkees are working,” she said.

This semester, Dresser and Florencia are recruiting peer mentors for next year. They hope to engage 30 to 40 upperclassmen to serve as peer mentors for the class of 2023. Dresser recommends joining the Links not just for the reward of helping new students, but also for expanding social and professional networks.

“As a Link, you get to meet people from other majors, and you don’t necessarily get that experience otherwise. It’s a nice benefit getting to know people and hearing about their experiences in classes and clinicals,” she said. “We have a real sense of community.”