Mentors, mentees and Minties...

What is the role of the mentors?

Mentors are not lecturers or seminar leaders, they are fellow students in the final years of their course. Mentors are there to answer questions about the University. They do not attend lectures or seminars with 'mentees'. Mentors are able to discuss their experiences of assessments and examinations but are there as a guide only.

A good way to think about the role of a mentor is as that of a street map; they can tell you how to get to where you want to go, but it's still you that has to make the journey.

Who are the mentors?

The mentors are students in the Faculty ranging from second to fifth year who have volunteered to be a part of the mentoring program. Many of the students have been a part of the program for several years, whereas for some this will be their first year as a mentor. Regardless of how long they have been mentoring, all the mentors have been given training and will be able to give valuable advice to first year students, based on their own personal experiences of University.

How can I become a mentor?

If you have enjoyed your experiences in the mentoring workshops and would like to give something back to the community that helped you, you are welcome to assist by becoming a student mentor yourself. By doing this you will be able to help other students who are just starting University and will have a unique opportunity to meet new and diverse people in a fun environment.

Many past mentors have found that as well as helping other students their experiences as a mentor helped provide them with valuable insights and practice for their future careers in teaching or social work.

For more information on becoming a mentor, please contact Dr. Lesley Scanlon

And the Minties?...

We like to reward our mentors.

As well as helping fellow students, the mentor program also involves a number of social activities to let mentors get to know each other better and to show our gratitude for their participation and commitment.