Georgia
BA (Hons) Modern Languages and Linguistics
If you remember how intimidating the first few weeks of university were, then you will agree that having someone to talk to that has experienced this already is invaluable.
Being a Peer Mentor
In my first year I found my Peer Mentor very helpful and a great source of support when I was struggling with getting the work-life balance right. I decided I would love to offer the same to a whole new group of first years as I remember how scary the first few months of university can be.
As a Peer Mentor, most of the work you do happens in the weeks leading up to, and the first few weeks of term, when mentees generally need the most guidance. As a Peer Mentor you send out an introductory letter to your mentees, telling them a little about yourself and letting them know you are someone they can go to with any questions they may not feel comfortable asking a member of staff. When term begins, you are responsible for organising an ice-breaker meeting and then regular meetings throughout the first semester. These meetings are an opportunity to catch up with your mentees and advise them or signpost them to someone who can help with any issues they are having.
I think it’s important to remember that a Peer Mentor is not responsible for solving all of their mentees’ problems. This can be extremely time-consuming and mentally taxing, especially as they too are a student and may have similar problems themselves. Instead, a Peer Mentor should be able to guide their mentees to the different support facilities that the university offers. Apart from this, a Peer Mentor should be a friendly and approachable figure that their mentees can feel comfortable asking questions to and have chats with. It can be really valuable to have a friend in the year above to share experiences and recommendations with.
Benefits of being a Peer Mentor
As a Peer Mentor, I think I have improved my interpersonal and communication skills, especially in terms of leading group discussions. Now I am much more confident discussing personal issues and being able to suggest practical help and advice. Also, I think I have greatly improved my organisational skills, as it was usually quite difficult to find times when most of my mentees were free for a meeting.
Given the quantity of schools in the HaSS faculty, I felt incredibly honoured to have been shortlisted as one of the best Peer Mentors and then named as HASS Peer Mentor of the Year. I feel so grateful that my mentees took the time to nominate me and express such positive feelings about the time I spent talking to them. I felt so happy knowing that my efforts had been acknowledged.
For those students who are thinking about volunteering, I would definitely recommend signing up to be a Peer Mentor as it can be such a rewarding experience. If you are someone that enjoys helping people and giving advice, this is definitely the scheme for you. If you remember how intimidating the first few weeks of university were for you, then you will agree that having someone to talk to that has experienced this already is invaluable.