Office Hour Coaching

If you need some help coming up with a stellar programming idea, some inspiration, help planning, or just want someone to bounce ideas around with, then a personalized coaching session is for you!

Book yourself a coaching session with one of the PRAs! Shoot us an email, or stop by to book a session!

PRA One-on-Ones:

You’ll meet with a PRA once per term to talk about your programs and roles. Here’s the worksheet the PRAs will use with you: PRA-RA 1-1 Guidelines

Self-Coaching:

Welcome to the Self-Coaching section! If you’d like a little boost in your programming without scheduling an one-on-one coaching session with a PRA, read on! Below are tips, tricks, and ideas to help you get your creative juices flowing and bring your programming to the next level.

Before we get started please reflect on:

• What is the best program or event you have ever attended? What made it so great?
• What kind of posters draw you in to read them? What do they normally have in common?
• What kind of experience do you want your residents to take away from this program/event?
• What resources to you have in your disposal to prep for this program?
• What resources are you comfortable with in the PRCs? Which are you not as comfortable with?

Tips:

• Listen to your residents. Normally you can get ideas for programs based on what they are interested in.
• Pay attention to timing. During midterm season many of your residents may be busy, therefore they may not be willing to find time to come out! This might be a great time for a passive program so they can be involved at their own pace. 
• Look at the PRCs for resources to advertise you programs (this can be in the form of banners, sign up sheets, posters, table tents, notes under their doors)

• Bulletin board display
• Brochure
• Newsletter article or special-edition news bulletin (e.g., to a floor)
• Survey with results posted
• Interactive display in high traffic area
• Door hangers
• Give-away items with educational info attached
• Table tents
• Email group or other electronic communication tool (e.g., Wiki)
• Contest
• Any other creative “passive” element that raises awareness or educates residents on the target topic/issue

Planning tips:

• Do something that you are interested in so that you stay invested in the project. If you are excited about the topic, your residents will get excited about it too!
• Space your programs out throughout the year so that you don’t get overwhelmed (and so that you can get feedback about the program and make appropriate changes to the next one you plan) Ask residents to help with the planning process if they are interested. Your residents are the best form of advertising!
• Collaborate with someone who has a different skill set than you do.

Deciding on your programme idea and the main ideas (who, what, where, when, how, why).

• Will it be on or off campus? In residence?
• Can I involve external groups (ex. check out all these resources: On & Off Campus Partners!)
• Do I need a budget?
• Is there a cost for the residents?
• Do you need reservations?
• How long will the event be?
• What resources do I need to find/use to create this program?
• Does this align with the “student timeline” > This means that you should maybe consider what time of year it is and how that affects students. Ex. If it is exam time or midterm season an academic program may be more relate-able or relevant. 
• Is this program inclusive? (Is it wheelchair accessible? Do you have food for people with dietary restrictions?)

Figure out your timeline

• Decide the date of your event, and then work backwards to figure out when advertisements should be up and when you can make time to create those advertisements
• Ensure that the advertising timeline is appropriate for the size of your program
• Make sure that you take your academic schedule into account when working on your program timeline so that you can maintain a proper balance

• Look up cool new fonts on websites like dafont.com and fontspace.com
• Get some sweet colour palette ideas on Colour Lovers
• Need a simpler program than photoshop? Check out Canva!
• If you are not tech savvy, be creative and use banner paper, paint, die cuts, glitter, splatter painting, pop ups, interactive pieces, chalk etc.
• You can make your big banner part of your passive – two birds, one stone!
• Interactive posters and passives tend to draw residents in to read them. Brainstorm some cool interactive pieces so that there is an involvement and investment in the program.
• Use colour, style, and photos to your advantage. You can make a key point stand out with colour or style. (but don’t over use any of these things, it can make it confusing)
• Ensure your advertisements have all the appropriate info (ie. Where, When, title/explanation, who is running the program, and if there is a cost)
• Make sure your advertisements use inclusive language (e.g. “Hey guys” vs “Hey everyone”)
• Schedule time to work on your program either at home or at the PRCs (or at your fave coffee shop or study space) so that you don’t leave it for the last minute.