As a returning Queen Mary student, your past experiences and knowledge can be invaluable for new students. As a peer mentor, you will offer guidance, friendship, support and practical advice to a group of first-year students in your school. Many incoming students may really struggle with the transition to Queen Mary and as a mentor, you will help with the well-being of numerous students.
Why become a mentor?
- Help to improve someone else’s time at university and in London through your own experiences.
- Improve the sense of community at Queen Mary.
- Boost your employability through developing key transferable skills such as communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.
- Have the Buddy Scheme listed on your HEAR transcript to further boost your employability.
How does it work?
The scheme is open to undergraduate students in second, third or fourth year. Should you wish you take part as a postgraduate student, please contact us directly at buddyscheme@qmul.ac.uk for further information. As a mentor you will receive high-quality online training from Queen Mary staff, that will be beneficial during and after your time as a mentor. The training session is 2 hours in total. Multiple training dates and times will be available for you to choose from over the course of the summer, from the week commencing 27th May 2024.
You will then complete an online refresher module over the summer, and get a chance to meet your assigned mentees during Welcome Week.
Throughout Semester A and B, you will be expected to keep in touch with your mentees both face to face and via email. You will be a friendly face as well as a contact point for your mentees during their first year.
You are there to assist first years in integrating into the Queen Mary community socially - for example encouraging them to join many of the opportunities that the Students' Union offers, such as a Club or Society, Volunteering Group or Student Media Outlet.
You will receive a Careers skills training towards the end of the scheme, to learn how to impress future employers with your experiences on the scheme.
And at the end of the scheme, we will have a celebration event to recognise your hard work on the scheme.
What is the time commitment?
You will be expected to commit at least 10 hours on the scheme over Semester A and B. This will include the training session and your initial meeting with the mentees.
You will required to organise at least 3 social meets with your mentees, and keep in regular contact with them via email.
Great I’m in! How do I apply?
To sign up and become a mentor, please complete this application form. The deadline for applications to this programme is Midnight on 31st October 2024.
Questions?
If you have a question, please contact us at: buddyscheme@qmul.ac.uk.
