We’re so proud of the work our Peer Mentors have done this year to help our new students feel at home.
To celebrate, we recently held the Peer Mentor Thank You event, where mentees were given the opportunity to nominate their Peer Mentor for the award of Peer Mentor of the Year.
We received over 200 nominations from across the campus, so we’re very proud of our three winners, Philip Ellwood, Jacob Hamilton and Daisy Agar.
We asked our winners all about what it’s like to be a Peer Mentor…
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Jacob Hamilton (Stage 2, Dietetics)
Why did you decide to become a Peer Mentor?
When I started university I found it a little daunting. I didn’t know anyone one, I had loads of questions about the programme and generally felt a bit unsettled. My peer mentor was fantastic! They answered all my questions and it was reassuring to know someone’s there to help you out if you need it. When it came round to my second year, I felt the need to return the favour.
What do you do as a Peer Mentor?
Be a point of contact for first year students. I had a few meetings with my mentees where I answered questions that were perhaps not suited for a personal tutor or academic staff. The little things – like revision and study tips or advice on accommodation or part time work.
Philip Ellwood (Stage 2, Marine Biology)
What transferable skills have you developed as a result of being a Peer Mentor?
Being a Peer Mentor has advanced my organisational skills - being able to arrange the most mutually beneficial times to have meet ups requires time management and forward-thinking skills. My communication has also improved greatly as sometimes a great way to make mentees comfortable is to reflect through my own experiences to help them feel understood.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a Peer Mentor?
Being a Peer Mentor is worth it. It isn’t too time consuming and is extremely rewarding to know that your efforts are significantly helping someone who is likely nervous starting a new stage in their life.
Daisy Agar (Stage 2, Law)
What can a mentee expect from a Peer Mentor?
Someone that’s going to be there for them to offer advice and guidance and help as much as they can. Even if it is something that a mentor can’t directly help with, they can signpost their mentee to the relevant area of support at the university. Peer Mentors are also there to encourage, motivate and support them as they transition and settle into their first year at university.
What was it like being nominated and winning Peer Mentor of the Year?
When I found out I was nominated I was very shocked! I couldn’t quite believe that my mentees had taken the time to vote for me. And then when it came to actually winning the award, I was quite speechless to be honest. Winning was fantastic and it’s probably one of my best achievements so far. When you sign up to be a mentor, the awards aren’t really something that’s at the top of your priorities, so for my mentees to vote for me was an achievement in itself and it showed that I must have done something good. I’m still quite overwhelmed, but really grateful!