Lucy
MMaths (Hons) Mathematics & Statistics
Taking on responsibility is something which motivates me, so becoming a Peer Mentor was something that has absolutely enhanced my experience at university!
Being a Peer Mentor
I decided to become a Peer Mentor as I really wanted to help first year students settle into university life. As a local, I felt that my student experience could be really valuable to someone coming to Newcastle for the first time. I pride myself on being very friendly and approachable, so I knew that becoming a Peer Mentor would suit my skillset.
As a Peer Mentor I’m responsible for supporting a small group of first year maths students with their transition to becoming a university student. Primarily, being a Peer Mentor consists of combining your experience as a student, as well as any tips or advice you find useful, and sharing it with the new students. For example, I was given the opportunity to work with some of my mentees as part of their induction in freshers’ week, meaning I was able to give a first-hand account of what it’s like to study maths at Newcastle before the students had even attended their first lecture! The role is purely pastoral – it’s not about giving academic advice or helping students with their assignments, but rather about helping mentees feel confident and comfortable as they start university.
Mentees can expect an “open door policy” from their mentors – there is genuinely no such thing as a silly question and Peer Mentors are always happy to help. Even if a Peer Mentor can’t answer a question, they can signpost a mentee to who they should contact and the sort of response they can expect. Peer Mentors will meet their mentees at the start of the year, where they outline a few of the essential things students need to know before teaching begins. Mentees are put in contact with their Peer Mentors well before the start of the semester in case they have any burning questions before they have their meeting.
Benefits of being a Peer Mentor
Through my experience as a Peer Mentor I’ve been able to develop my communication and interpersonal skills, since the role requires listening to student concerns and being able to respond in a tactful, but still helpful, manner. I’ve also been able to develop my problem-solving skills, which is a quality that is highly sought after by employers. Taking on responsibility is something which motivates me, so becoming a Peer Mentor was something that has absolutely enhanced my experience at university!
If you want to be a Peer Mentor you should go for it! Becoming a Peer Mentor is a really rewarding experience. Besides the employability aspect of the role (e.g. developing transferable skills such as communication), it’s also a great way to feel like you are giving back and feel proud about making a positive impact on someone’s university experience! The role does require good time management and organisational skills, since being able to the give the support that students deserve can take up time. You need to give constructive advice while also being honest and recognising that everyone’s experience of university is unique. However, the training provided by the university is comprehensive and covers enough material in detail so that anyone can feel comfortable giving excellent support as a Peer Mentor. There is a real sense of achievement involved with peer mentoring, and it’s something I’d recommend to all students!