Peer Assisted Learning
The PAL Centre is open!
Visit the Course Help Schedules page for more information on what courses we support!
Updated September 15, 2025.
What is Peer Assisted Learning?
The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Centre is the place to develop effective learning strategies and get free, one-to-one, course-specific help. Western and Affiliate University College students are welcome. Help is provided by Learning Peers who are trained, upper-year Western students who have excelled academically, and are ready to help you SUCCEED.
Is it tutoring?
It's so much more! We often refer to it as peer tutoring, to highlight learning help provided by fellow, upper year students. But, we know that really good tutoring looks very similar to providing help with learning strategies and organizational skills important for learning! Our Learning Peers are the ones hired specifically for their academic performance, to provide course specific help, but they are trained along with our Liaisons so that anyone in the PAL Centre can have a conversation with you about how to learn in your courses!
Can I get help on assignments?
The PAL Centre is here to help you on your journey of learning how to learn while in university. As such, we take academic integrity very seriously and do not help with assignments.
BUT, the PAL Centre (in the Western Student Services Building) is stocked with textbooks and other resources to help our Learning Peers help you understand the content of the assignment, without providing assignment help! We encourage you to plan accordingly and stop by in advance of your assignment deadlines, to talk about anything related to your learning!
Do I have to pay? Does it cost anything? Do I have to provide any information?
This service is free! All we ask is that you sign in with your UWO ID at the front kiosk, staffed by one of our friendly PAL Liaisons. We collect your UWO ID to do the following:
- get a sense of how the space is used and by who (i.e. year of study, faculty of study, etc.)
- generate a list of UWO emails to reach out and let students know about PAL Centre events, study sessions and more!
- Please note, there is the option to opt out of our outreach emails here.
How Do I Access the PAL Centre?
The PAL Centre offers in-person help in the Western Student Services Building and the Weldon Library Community Room. The spaces are open for drop-in (no appointment necessary!) on :
What students are saying about the Peer Assisted Learning Centre...
"I'll definitely be coming back to get help. This was
so beneficial and a great resource."
"My session was very helpful and I loved going through questions
step by step to clarify any questions I had. A great learning
opportunity and I am excited to return in the future."
"The Learning Peer I worked with was incredibly helpful.
PAL has helped me tremendously with my academics."
