Megan
BA (Hons) English Literature with Creative Writing
As a new student, I was grateful for the support system that the mentoring scheme provided. I felt like I had an extra network of people to turn to if I needed help.
Being a Peer Mentor
I became a Peer Mentor because I knew how nervous I was when starting at Newcastle back in 2021 As a new student, I was grateful for the support system that the mentoring scheme provided. I felt like I had an extra network of people to turn to if I needed help. I am passionate about my school and I wanted to make sure that passion continued for future cohorts.
The workload as a Peer Mentor is incredibly manageable. You send an initial welcome letter to your school’s Staff Facilitator, which is then distributed to your mentees after they have accepted their offer to study here. You then have four meetings across the year, where you cover topics such as academic and pastoral support, second year housing, and generally checking in on the mentees.
From their Peer Mentor, a mentee can expect kindness, understanding, and a friendly face. We were all in the same position as a mentee once, and it can be daunting studying in a new place and moving away from home. Mentors are compassionate and there to be an ‘older sibling’ at university.
Benefits of being a Peer Mentor
I think there are many transferable skills you develop being a Peer Mentor. Time management is a big one, as I had to balance third year commitments with mentor duties. Organisational and leadership skills are also skills you develop. You have to set the meetings and the theme of each meeting - this is a big responsibility, which will look great in future employment applications.
If you’re thinking about becoming a Peer Mentor, just do it! I have done it for two years now and it is a wonderful experience. You make friends with other Peer Mentors, develop strong connections with your Staff Facilitator and make the overall mentoring experience work for mentees.