Transition Peer Mentors
Starting university can be tough, so we helped create this programme so uni students can support first years to make their transition to Otago uni easy and fun!
What is the Transition Peer Mentor Programme?
The Transition Peer Mentor Programme is a new initiative that supports undergraduate students as they enter into life at Otago Uni. It's simple - University of Otago student volunteers provide peer mentoring to incoming first year students through their first semester at Uni. This programme helps incoming students to connect with other students, get support from an empathetic ear, and learn about the range of opportunities, services, and activities available. New students get support and connection, mentors get experience and develop leadership skills, and everyone gets to make new friends which is always a plus.
Created and delivered in collaboration with the Schools' Liaisons, the Social Impact Studio, Student Health and the Otago Transition Network. This programme is being piloted in 2024.
How does it work?
At the end of the previous year we recruit uni student volunteers to be mentors and high school levers to be mentees for the programme. Mentors are trained up to be awesome peer supporters and we match mentees and mentors in pairs based on a common interest such as their study subject or hobbies. Mentors and mentees meet a total of 4 times across semester one to enable the first years to develop their networks and knowledge of what’s on offer at Otago uni.
Mentees
We’re so excited to be able to offer this programme to you so you can have some connection as you make the move to Otago Uni! Once you’ve signed-up via our mentee form, sit tight and we will be in touch soon. After 25th of Janaury 2024 once we’ve matched you with a mentor your mentor will reach out to you to arrange your first meeting together and start the Transition Mentor process - so stay tuned!
Mentors
A peer mentor is another young person who acts as a resource, a helping hand, a listener, and someone who can support their peers with making positive changes. The job of a peer mentor is to provide support, encouragement, and information to their mentee. As a peer mentor you will receive support including two group supervision sessions with the other mentors provided by Student Health, and of course individual support can be accessed via the Social Impact Studio when needed.
Mentors are recruited at the end of the year for the following year. If you’re interested in being a peer mentor and gaining leadership experience while supporting first years stay tuned with our Instagram for when we start recruiting! Once applications close, we will notify you via email to invite you for an interview. If successful, you will need to be available for a training session, the date of which will be confirmed closer to the time. This role also requires a background check via the Proctor’s office, any concerns regarding this please email us.
Time commitment: estimated 8-10 hours
- 3 hours training
- 1 hour first meeting with mentee over Zoom
- Three 1 hour in-person meetings in Semester One
- 2 hours mentor supervision
Programme Contacts
If you’re a Transition Programme mentee or a mentor and have a question or need help, just reach out to us at volunteer@otago.ac.nz. Social Impact Studio staff are here to support you and assist with any problem that might come up.