Akrivi
BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations
The very presence of a peer who has already experienced the process of adapting to university life can be largely reassuring to new students currently grappling with this transition.
Being a Peer Mentor
Following my own experience as a mentee last year, I quickly understood the value of an enthusiastic Peer Mentor. The very presence of a peer who has already experienced the process of adapting to university life can be largely reassuring to new students currently grappling with this transition. As such, I decided to become a Peer Mentor to contribute to Newcastle University's effort to welcome new students on campus and integrate them smoothly into our student community.
A Peer Mentor is a helpful and friendly point of contact for mentees. During my own time in this role, I understood that new students may often want to explore their independence and adapt to the new environment on their own. However, that does not mean that a reliable Peer Mentor on campus is unnecessary. On the contrary, possessing a much wider understanding of the support mechanisms and academic resources available at the university, a Peer Mentor offers invaluable support and practical guidance to mentees.
The relationship between a Peer Mentor and their mentees should be one of understanding. As a Peer Mentor myself, I believe that no student should feel alone, so a mentee can expect encouragement, empathy, and support from their Peer Mentor - someone welcoming, who consistently makes their presence known and their help readily available.
Benefits of being a Peer Mentor
Being a Peer Mentor has advanced both my personal growth and my professional prospects. Most notably, I have become more intentional in the way I express my advice and guidance, thus developing my communication skills at large. As a result of positive interactions and direct communication, I am happy to have connected with my mentees in a way that has ultimately developed my relationship-building skills.
Being nominated for, and winning, the Peer Mentor of the Year award for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences was a beautiful reward, because it showcased that my efforts to shape positive experiences at university have indeed had the intended impact on my mentees. I am grateful to Newcastle University for providing a student-based support.
If you are thinking of becoming a Peer Mentor, commit yourself to the role and consistently make the most of this opportunity to have a direct, positive impact on the university student experience. In doing so, you will not only be able to shape positive first impressions of university, but also to establish connections within your academic department and across the student body. Becoming a Peer Mentor is just the first step!