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Ben

MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry

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I think the reason why I decided to become a Peer Mentor was largely due to how good of a job my own Peer Mentor did. She was such a big help in making us all feel welcome and a part of the university.

Being a Peer Mentor

I think the reason why I decided to become a Peer Mentor was largely due to how good of a job my own Peer Mentor did. She was such a big help in making us all feel welcome and a part of the university and answering the ton of questions we all had about university life and the course. She checked in with us and always made time for us.

As a Peer Mentor, I met my mentees during the induction period and was able to have a good chat with them about how they were finding accommodation and also encouraging them to speak to their Personal Tutors. After this initial meeting, I checked in with my mentees regularly, with some asking me questions about certain aspects of the course.

The main job as a Peer Mentor is to answer questions that the first years may have as they acclimatise to their new home. Most of the mentees are keen to meet you and ask about what a university lecture is like, and in my case what working in a lab is like, so expect to answer lots of questions. Honestly, it's a really nice role. I would say to anyone thinking about becoming a Peer Mentor, definitely go for it. It’s not a role that requires a 9-5 type commitment and it’s a massive help to new students.

Benefits of being a Peer Mentor

I’d say the main transferable skill I have developed during my time as a Peer Mentor is a rather simple one, being able to talk to people you’ve not met before. It's a skill that comes up in nearly every job sector and being able to develop that through being a Peer Mentor has been a great help.

It was genuinely a great feeling to be nominated for SAgE Peer Mentor of the Year - it was something I didn’t expect in the slightest. To be nominated on behalf of my entire course was such a big moment for me. I really enjoyed the awards events and getting to meet other mentors and discuss other ways they connected with their mentees.