We're continually inspired by the commitment and kindness our Peer Mentors show in supporting new students through their university journey!
We caught up with the award-winners at the recent Thank You event. Mentees had the chance to show their appreciation by nominating their mentor for the Peer Mentor of the Year Award.
We received over 200 nominations from across the campus, so we’re very proud of our three winners, Alex Everett, Safiyya Merali, and Amina Islam.
Amina Islam (Stage 2, Dental Surgery)
What inspired you to get involved in Peer Mentoring?
I decided to become a Peer Mentor because I wanted to be part of the supportive community that helps new undergraduate students transition smoothly into university life. I recognised the value of having a friendly face who understood the difficulties of first year during my own transition and wanted to offer my experience and guidance to help others feel welcome and confident.
What skills have you gained through mentoring that you’ll carry forward?
Being a Peer Mentor has developed several transferable skills, such as effective communication, active listening, empathy, problem-solving, and leadership. Additionally, I've learned to manage my time efficiently and work collaboratively with my mentees and university staff, skills that are valuable in various professional and personal contexts.
Alex Everett (Stage 2, Agriculture)
What kind of support do you provide as a Peer Mentor?
As a Peer Mentor, my role was to provide information, support, and guidance for first year students. I did this through one-on-one meetings, chatting with my mentees at the campus or during social events or cooperating with other Peer Mentors to host short workshops to help our mentees with their first assignment.
What should new students know about the support Peer Mentors offer?
A mentee can expect to gain a contact in the year above who can give guidance and advice from their own personal experience about the challenges they themselves faced when they were in their mentee’s shoes.
Safiyya Merali (Stage 2, Combined Honours)
What advice would you give to students considering mentoring?
Do it! It might sound like a lot of work, but it genuinely isn't. Training and induction might take up a few hours but they're usually fun - you get to make new friends and really grow as a person.
Then you meet your mentees a few times during the first semester – so really, you're putting in a small number of hours for something pretty social and super rewarding. Go ahead and do it, if nothing else, do it so you can be that helping hand you wished you had when you felt a bit lost in first year.
My favourite part of it is that I got to really become part of the Combined Honours community and feel connected - like I was here for the community and people of Combined Honours as much as they were for me.
How did it feel to be nominated – and to win?
Honestly, I am so so grateful. It was enough to find out that I was shortlisted because it meant so much that my mentees appreciated the work I put in enough to actually go and nominate me. I was so touched by that. Going and winning the award was just a massive bonus. I got to sit with my fellow Combined Honours students and staff, who were super supportive and who I've grown fairly fond of over the course of my mentoring experience, and it was great to represent Combined Honours by bringing it home for our programme and community.
Recruitment for 2025/26 Peer Mentors is open now! For further information on how to apply, visit the Peer Mentoring website.
Check out what last year's Peer Mentors of the year had to say about winning!
Find out more about Peer Mentoring at Newcastle University.