Starting university can feel a bit dauting for lots of different reasons. Moving away from home for the first time, making friends in a brand-new environment and learning how to manage things like budgeting and studying at degree level is a lot to take in all in one go! Whilst any apprehensions you may have are natural, you’ll be in the same boat as a lot of other students, so try not to worry too much. To make the transition a little smoother, the University has a Peer Mentoring scheme for new students to help them settle in.
Through the scheme you meet a 2nd or 3rd year student as soon as you start your university adventure. Our mentors are here to welcome you to the University community, answer your questions – big or small – and share their experiences with you.
Using a tailored matching process, the Volunteering and Mentoring Team (which is part of our Student Futures department, offering a number of support services to students), will consider your preferences as they assign you to one of our trained Peer Mentors, aiming to make the most suitable match for you. You can communicate via email with your Peer Mentor before you arrive at the University of Chester, and keep in touch with them throughout the academic year. You can also connect with your mentor through a number of virtual means, such as Microsoft Teams or telephone.
Your Peer Mentor will be there from the get-go and they’ll be able to give you tips and guidance on a range of topics, such as; accommodation, student loans, workload management and the best ways to meet others in a virtual world. Our Peer Mentors have received training and are clued up on the University and external services, so if they can’t help you directly then they should be able to point you in the right direction!
If you are a nursing student, you will be assigned a Peer Mentor automatically but you can of course opt-out of the scheme. You will be emailed the contact details of your Peer Mentor by your academic department.
Hear from some of our students, who have made the most of the Peer Mentoring scheme at Chester:
“It really helps to have someone who's been in your position and can provide helpful advice.”
“It helped me overcome my concerns and get me through my first term.”
“Make use of a mentor for any questions you have no matter how big or small or stupid the questions might seem.”
Interested?
You can find out more information about the Peer Mentoring scheme on our website, here.
If you already know you’d like to sign up, then you just need to follow this link and answer a few questions. Once you have signed up, the Volunteering and Mentoring Team will look for a suitable mentor, who will then email you to introduce themselves.
If you have any further questions about getting a mentor, you can contact the Volunteering and Mentoring Team by emailing peermentoring@chester.ac.uk or calling 01244 511 550.
