The University of Manchester has numerous support services across the whole institution. These services assist with different aspects of university life from Academic support to financial support and Mental Health and Wellbeing support. One form of academic assistance is the ‘Peer Support’ system which runs for all first-years and following into second year.
Peer Mentoring provides a community-based support network within your course. Run by a team of staff and student volunteers. At the start of the academic year, you will be assigned peer mentors. As a peer mentor, I have taken note of many different benefits that have come from this role as both a mentee and a mentor.
As a mentee, peer mentoring provides consistent support throughout the year. Your mentoring team will keep regular contact and provide meetings, advice and sometimes events. Ensuring that you have a support system throughout your studies. The benefits of this can make a brilliantly positive difference to your academic year. Starting university can come with questions and queries regarding academic material or even general questions about living (transport, places to go out etc…). Your peer mentors can be a guide for any of these things. Reducing those potential everyday stresses and giving you a smoother transition into the university community. Having another student on your course to assist and signpost you can be a comforting experience in your university transition. Your peer mentoring group can provide this and a safe space to gain confidence and friendships in your course.
Being a peer mentor can also be an exciting and rewarding opportunity. You will be trained to provide effective support for your peers and develop your skills at the same time. This being beneficial already as this can be utilised for your CV or future applications. Further specialised support is provided to you from the staff and student coordinators in your team. Expanding your social network and allowing you to bond with your peers and staff on your course. Also, if you would be interested in gaining awards during your time at university, the peer mentoring scheme also offers this with awards for peer contribution and help achieving the ‘Stellify’ award. Following this, you can apply to become a student coordinator and focus your skills in leadership.
The peer mentoring scheme has given me the opportunity to make a difference on my course. It has allowed me to engage more with my peers and make the most of my time as a student in university. I have been able to express my creativity in planning sessions and create insightful materials to assist members of my group. It is a role I would encourage students to apply for and engage with.
If you are keen to enrich your time at university, refine your skills or simply socialise more with your peers. Engaging with the peer mentoring scheme or further, joining the scheme is a fantastic way to do so. This is only one part of the many pieces that go together to form the support systems available at the University of Manchester. If you would like to learn about more of these student-centred support services, try visiting the online ‘Student Support’ page. Which offers more in-depth information on what’s here to support you and your learning.

Wishing you all the best in your educational journey!

Written by Olivia Blackburn.

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