Emilia
Bachelor of Laws
Being a Peer Mentor is not only rewarding because you are supporting other students, but it is also a great opportunity to develop yourself outside of your academic studies.
Being a Peer Mentor
I applied to be a Peer Mentor because I have always been passionate about supporting others and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Having a Peer Mentor myself when I started university made my transition into first year much easier. My mentor was a key source of guidance and reassurance, and I wanted to give back to the Law School by providing the same support to other students.
As a Peer Mentor, I supported a number of first-year students throughout the academic year. My responsibilities included organising and attending regular meetings, answering questions, providing guidance and signposting mentees to appropriate university services and resources. I also completed reflective blogs to evaluate the support I provided and consider how I could improve my approach.
I found the role incredibly rewarding, and my commitment to supporting my mentees was recognised when I was awarded Peer Mentor of the Year in both the Law School and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
This year, I am taking on additional responsibilities as both a Lead Peer Mentor and Senior Peer Mentor for the Law School. As a Senior Peer Mentor, I will support and guide current Peer Mentors, helping them to feel confident in their roles and providing advice and guidance where needed. I will also work to promote good mentoring practice and support the development of the Peer Mentoring scheme within the Law School. As a Lead Peer Mentor, I will also review mentors’ blogs and provide support where needed. Having previously been a Peer Mentor myself, I am looking forward to using my experience to support other mentors and help them make the most of their role, while contributing to the continued development of the programme.
I think one of the key strengths of the Peer Mentor Scheme is that mentors are students themselves. Mentees have someone they can approach with questions or concerns that they may not always feel comfortable asking university staff. Having already experienced the transition to university, mentors can provide relatable, practical guidance from the perspective of someone who has been in their position.
Benefits of being a Peer Mentor
Being a Peer Mentor is not only rewarding because you are supporting other students, but it is also a great opportunity to develop yourself outside of your academic studies.
The role has helped me develop a range of transferable skills, including communication, organisation, time management and problem-solving. It also provides opportunities to develop leadership skills through organising meetings, taking responsibility for supporting mentees and, at a more senior level, guiding other mentors. Writing reflective blogs has also helped me develop my reflective skills by encouraging me to consider what went well, what I could improve and how I could adapt my approach.
I found being a Peer Mentor a really rewarding experience and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a way to volunteer and give back to other students. It is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to someone else's university experience while also developing valuable skills and gaining experience outside of your degree.
The role can also contribute towards the NCL+ Award, which recognises the extracurricular activities and development students undertake alongside their studies. For me, becoming a Peer Mentor was a great way to combine volunteering, personal development and supporting the Law School community.