Hitarth
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering
One of the most rewarding parts of the role was seeing my mentees become more confident throughout the year.
Being a Peer Mentor
I wanted to become a Peer Mentor because I wanted to support students who were beginning their journey at Newcastle University. One of the most rewarding parts of the role was seeing my mentees become more confident throughout the year, especially with approaching the older year students. I particularly enjoyed being able to guide them through the challenges of being in stage one as I at one point was in their shoes. As a Peer Mentor I also advised my mentees to not be afraid to ask for directions and clarifications when they were unsure about something, whether it was related to academic study or university life.
Benefits of being a Peer Mentor
Being a Peer Mentor helped me develop a range of transferable skills, particularly communication, leadership, empathy and interpersonal skills. The role also gave me more confidence in taking responsibility and in providing guidance when required. My experience as Peer Mentor encouraged me to support other students when they faced difficult challenges.
In my role as Senior Peer Mentor, I will help support the development of the peer mentoring scheme and work alongside other mentors to ensure first-year students receive the support they need. I will also act as a point of contact for other Peer Mentors, helping them with any questions or challenges they may encounter throughout the year. Having previously experienced the role myself, I can share advice and practical guidance with new mentors to help them feel more confident in supporting their mentees. I will also have the opportunity to provide feedback and contribute ideas to help further develop the scheme.