Recipient to Role Model: Schroeder Scholar Zyrinne Paying it Forward
Zyrinne Tolentino, Charge Ahead Peer Mentor
Hey Bisons! My name is Zyrinne, a third-year Faculty of Science student, a Charge Ahead Peer Mentor and very fortunately, a recipient of the Walter and Maria Schroeder Scholarship. Today, I wanted to share my unique experience of once being a Schroeder Transition Program participant to now mentoring new scholarship recipients!
What is the Schroeder Transition Program?
The Schroeder Transition Program is a six-week preparatory experience designed for all new Schroeder Scholarship recipients. It offers students a head start on university life by introducing them to the campus and highlighting the wide range of resources available to support their success at UM.
My Time as a Program Participant
I participated in this program during the Summer of 2023, just before beginning my first term. ARTS 1110, an introductory writing course, gave me an early understanding of the structure of university courses and the academic expectations placed on students. Campus meet-and-greets provided valuable opportunities to build connections early-on with staff and faculty. Through Intro to Communications, I gained confidence speaking on my feet and practicing public speaking in a supportive, low-stakes environment. Finally, University Math Prep cleared up any gaps in my pre-calculus knowledge, ensuring I entered my first-year math courses with a solid foundation.
One aspect of the program I especially valued was its strong emphasis on building meaningful connections—both with peers and with the wider UM community. University can often feel isolating, but being surrounded by fellow students who were also navigating the transition from high school gave me a genuine sense of belonging. Completing the program not only boosted my confidence but also reassured me of my ability to succeed at university.
Becoming a Peer Mentor
The opportunity of becoming a peer mentor was unexpected, but something I realized I really wanted to do! The thought of being able to support and guide students as I was once supported and guided was so exciting and felt like such a full-circle moment. My Student Transitions Mentor made a huge impact on me that summer and became someone I could reach out to beyond the program.
I spent this summer developing and facilitating the programming for the students and hoped to build upon and share the great experiences I once had. Seeing the students every day, celebrating their wins, and helping them overcome their challenges was very meaningful and has left me with so many treasured memories to carry forward.
What’s next for me:
Looking ahead, I may not know exactly what the future holds, but my time with Charge Ahead has made one thing clear: I love supporting my peers, and that will continue to guide me in whatever I do next. Starting university has already brought so many new experiences, and I’m eager to keep learning more about myself and what I enjoy most. I’m incredibly grateful for the generosity of the donor, which has opened the door to opportunities I may not have otherwise had.