As you might remember from your own time as a new student, starting university is a uniquely exciting and challenging time.
This year, most of our new first years will be starting university after having completed their AS Levels during lockdown, and many might not have had the opportunity to visit our beautiful campus. We would like to offer some additional support to next year’s new students with the launch of our new Peer Mentoring scheme.
To help support our new first year students, we are inviting our current second and third year undergraduates to be part of our welcoming team for new students. We will be asking you to help introduce the new first years to our YSJ community and to be on hand to help answer their questions and support them during their first semester.
We are looking for student volunteers who can be friendly and approachable with the new students. You will be expected to meet with your mentees in small groups and individually, and we will be doing a special induction session for all of our student mentors so that you have an idea of what to expect. There will be lots of support available for you as peer mentors.
This is a great opportunity for our current students to get more involved with our YSJ community and to help our new students feel comfortable and confident in their new environment. This position also provides an opportunity to develop your key employability skills, such as leadership, problem-solving and organisation. As part of this programme, you will be encouraged to reflect on your own development and how this role might help to prepare you for future employment.
As a mentor you will be asked:
- To attend an induction event for all peer mentors
- To be a friendly face for mentees and attend group and individual sessions with them
- To help support new students settle into their new university environment
- To answer questions or direct mentees to the most appropriate source of advice when needed.
You will not be expected:
- To do any work on behalf of the new students
- To act as a counsellor, social worker, financial adviser or academic tutor. Students with specific queries should always be directed to the appropriate source of advice.
If you are interested in volunteering as a Peer Mentor, please complete this online form by Tuesday 1st September 2020. If you have any questions, contact Dr Adam Smith.