Amy

Being a Peer Mentor

Personally, I became a Peer Mentor so I could expand my networking opportunities. I created strong relationships with my mentees, appreciating that there were a gateway for me to meet the rest of their year. This allowed me to introduce myself to the other first year Architecture students, so I could gather their insights and opinions on their course to use in my other role as SSC student chair. By becoming a Peer Mentor, I created relationships with students where people would feel comfortable reaching out to me.

As an Architecture Peer Mentor, you will give your mentees a tour around your school and all the main campus facilities during induction, while answering any questions they have about starting university. You can give your group tips and guidance about living in and around the Newcastle area: what to see, things to do, place to eat etc. You can also share your own experiences with your mentees; I used the example of starting up my own society, explaining how the Student Union works, how societies and clubs are run, and how anyone can join the Student Council to make exciting changes to their own university experience. You will meet with your mentee group multiple times during the first semester to check how they are settling in, and it is also a fun opportunity to see how the new first years take on the same design projects you did but with new perspectives!

Mentees can expect an enthusiastic, friendly face from a Peer Mentor who is also enrolled on the same course. By having a Peer Mentor on the same course, you would have both gone through very similar design modules, so you can share insights to model making and tips for designing. Even after the program has ended, you can still expect your mentor to be there for you if you have any questions or need help, about university or beyond.