As freshmen enter the University, they have to learn how to balance heavy workloads, studying, time management, a social life and being away from home for the first time. This can be stressful transition, so Project Aim of the University’s Counseling Center Paraprofessional Program was created to help students with these problems along with academic probation.

John Powell, a clinical psychologist at the University’s counseling center and overseer of Project Aim, said the program has been around for 20 years, and the number of students they see varies each semester.

“We help train undergraduate students to help other students who are struggling and help the students find out what makes them struggle,” Powell said.

He said after they find out what causes the students’ distraction, they put them in touch with resources that can help.

“Sometimes they lack the necessary discipline for academics, and they have other distracters in their lives,” Powell said. “The student who needs help will fill out a questionnaire, and then he will meet with one of the trained students.”

He said after students meet with their respective facilitators, they are given a list of resources to help them be successful. Powell said after the first face-to-face meeting, students typically do not have to come back unless they feel the need.

Four years ago this program was only available for students who were on academic probation, but Powell said now, any student can utilize Project Aim if they feel a need for it.

“We usually recruit students in their sophomore or junior years,” Powell said.

He said they recruit these two classes because these students have been on campus for a while and know the pressure University life can bring.

“I don’t feel freshmen are prepared for this,” Powell said. “By the time they are actually able to enter this program, they will be familiar with the services on campus.”

As far as participants go, Powell said for many years deans were the only people who promoted this program, but now information is offered through the different programs, including the Greek community and by word of mouth.

However, many students are still unaware of the program.

Jenny Sell, a former helper of the Aim Program and a senior in LAS, said that she did not help any students during her training because it was not publicized as much as it could have been.

“I think this is the big problem because people do not know of this program,” Sell said.

Another previous helper of Project Aim, Nicole Bensko, senior in LAS, said this program is a good resource for students.

“I think it is very beneficial to students who use the program,” Bensko said.

She said they provide assistance in any area the student may be having trouble in, ranging from academic areas to eating disorders.

Bensko said after a student helper has participated in Project Aim for three semesters, they can receive pay for their work. Until that point, they can receive advance credit hours in psychology, she said.

“The first semester is getting oriented with communication skills, how to work with a client,” Bensko said. “Second and third semesters are more outreach programs.”

Sell said this program is useful for students because they get to discuss their issues with their peers.

“I think it is hard for teachers and TAs to relate to students’ problems, and it might be easier for students to relate to each other,” Sell said.