Student Connect - Students Helping Students

Information for Mentors

How do I become a Mentor?

Do you remember how it felt to be a first year student?  Did you find coming to University a daunting experience?  Did you know who to ask if you had a difficulty?  If the answer to these questions is yes then you could help us with our peer mentoring programme.   The success of the programme lies with the volunteer mentors. We are overwhelmed with the numbers that applied this year and thanks to you all.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor for research postgraduate students (research postgraduate students mentoring other research students) – please email: mentornuigalway.ie or contact Una McDermott on 091 495282, Extn. 5282.

All volunteers receive an ALIVE Certificate at the end of the Programme.

What Mentors had to say about the Programme

“The have someone they can ask questions if they have problems and they get to meet other students at Orientation”

 “First years are made aware of the support systems in place, I feel it reduces the scary factor of starting college and it allows them to get to know people ”.

 “Having someone to talk to if a problem arises".

"Being a mentor helped increase my levels of confidence and helped in the overall development of inter personal skills for me"

What is expected of me as a Mentor?

• Attend the Mentor Training Programme
  Be a point of contact for the first year students assigned to you at orientation. Contact your group of Frist Years four times in the course of the year - twice in first term, twice in second term and once in third term in the run up to exams.To contact your mentees log in to CollegeConnect at  http://www.collegeconnect.ie/ and set up a new account for yourself if you do not have one allready. To create an account you will need your student id and some personal details. Your account will be created within a few minutes.
• Following the orientation bring your group for a tour of the campus and coffee/chat.
• Meet your students in the fourth week of term to check in with them to see how things are going for them.
• Participate in an end of year reflection on the programme along with other Mentors. The purpose of this is to improve the Student Connect Programme.

What are the benefits of being a Student Connect Mentor?

• The great satisfaction gained from helping other students
• Personal growth
• Enhanced employability skills

If I need help/advice as a mentor where do I get it?

For more information on the programme please read your Student Connect Diaries. 

Should you need further advice or assistance please contact Una McDermott on 091 495282 or email una.mcdermottnuigalway.ie