Peer Mentoring

Before you arrive at University

Prior to commencing your degree programme your Peer Mentor will introduce themselves to you via email and provide reassurance that there will be a friendly face awaiting you when you arrive. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have before you arrive at university. 

During the induction period

Your school will arrange an event enabling you to meet your Peer Mentor and the other mentees in your group for the first time.

During the first semester

Your Peer Mentor will arrange up to four meetings throughout the first semester. What these meetings will involve is the responsibility of each Peer Mentor, but mentees are encouraged to use their own initiative and provide feedback to their Peer Mentor with regards to what they would like to do, discuss in more depth or where they need advice.

Your Peer Mentor can:

• provide support pre-arrival and help you with the transition period
• answer questions that only a fellow student would know the answers to, sharing their opinions on their academic and student experience and what to expect
• be a non-academic point of contact that you can talk to, who can provide support and reassurance with any student-based issues and relieve any anxieties that you may have
• provide you with the opportunity to meet your fellow mentees and other students on your degree programme
• provide advice about University services, such as information about academic resources and signpost you to services where students can get help
• provide you with information and advice about your degree course
• provide you with information about Newcastle and give you advice on the best places to go to
• help you to plan ahead and look forward to the next academic year, including giving you advice on looking for accommodation in your second year

Engage with your Peer Mentor - ongoing engagement with your Peer Mentor is crucial for the success of the scheme for all parties. You will be expected to contribute equally and to develop a mentoring relationship based on trust, confidentiality and mutual respect. This includes showing up to meetings prepared and on time. Remember that Peer Mentors are volunteering their own time to help you.

Ask questions - This scheme is primarily focused on you, so take advantage of that! Come prepared with questions that only your mentor would be able to answer about their experiences as a student. Take advantage of their knowledge and experiences.

Engage with your fellow mentees - You will be assigned to a Mentee group. This is a great way to get to know other students in your year (who will be going through the same things as you), to engage in fun social activities and to make new friends.

Take action - Your Peer Mentor is not there to do the work for you; they are there to help you to settle into student life and to provide guidance on how to navigate the University experience. Put the advice they have given you to use. If they have directed you to a resource or given you something to work on, make sure that you do it in time for your next session so that you can discuss it and provide feedback on the help they have given you. This will help both you and your Peer Mentor to receive the correct support and accomplish your goals.