Jasleena Grewal, Peer Consultant

Environmental Studies Major

I never judge a book by its cover. Instead, I take the sniffing route. When I first bought my used, paperback copy of The Odyssey, the sweet aroma of the pages let me in on the history of the last person who embarked on the same literary journey I was about to experience.

I believe that writing is a sensory experience. Whether you value aesthetics, conventions, rough words, soft words, words you can taste, exotic accents, or smelly novels, there is always some way to connect yourself to writing. I hope to show my peers that writing doesn’t have to be an impersonal chore.  It’s more than slapping words onto a page, and you don’t have to be Shakespeare to create something beautiful that you and others will love.  

Being a Peer Consultant allows me to work with my own peers, who I can understand on a personal level because I am a student myself. I am continuously inspired by my peers’ stories, interests, and strengths, so collaborating with others will help me to improve my own writing skills. Keeping an open mind while staying focused to students’ needs guides me to support my peers through the writing process. Finally, sincere encouragement and continued support are what truly make all the difference on a human level, and I hope to be that pillar that my peers rely on. I want everyone to have a chance to express themselves freely, even if it means adding some color to a boring font or squirting that special love letter with the most seductive perfume.

I am currently pursuing a BS in Environmental Science and enjoy experimenting with my writing.  After taking pages of notes in my science classes, I often go back to pick out words and phrases that stand out to me. I then arrange these words and phrases into odes dedicated to ecology, biology, and other environmental disciplines.  My enthusiasm for writing always finds a way into my academic and personal life, and I hope to share my passion with my peers.