When I first started university, I thought academic support was only something you looked for when you were really struggling. But after a few years at Manchester, I realised that support is actually there for everyday questions too, even small ones. Two of the most useful people to know are your academic advisor and your peer mentors.

Your academic advisor is someone you will usually meet at the start of each semester, either in person or online. These meetings are a chance to check in on how things are going. You can talk about your modules, grades, university life, or anything you are worried about. It does not have to be a dramatic problem. Sometimes it is just useful to say things out loud and get another person’s view.
You can also book a meeting with your advisor at any point during the semester. This is something I would really recommend using. If you are confused about feedback, unsure about your progress, thinking about future plans, or just have a question you do not know who to ask, your advisor is a good place to start. They are there to help you, and it is much better to ask early than to leave things until the end of the semester.

It is also worth keeping in touch with your advisor because they may support you later with reference letters. Many students need references for internships, graduate jobs, postgraduate study, or other applications. A reference is much stronger when your advisor actually knows you, rather than only hearing from you when a deadline is coming up. Even short check-ins during the year can help them understand your interests, progress, and future goals.

Peer mentors are also really helpful, especially when you are still getting used to university. They are students from your course or subject area, usually in a later year, so they understand what you are going through. Sometimes advice from a peer mentor feels more direct because they have recently been in the same position. They know what certain assignments feel like, how busy particular periods of the semester can get, and what they wish they had known earlier.

Peer mentors may organise group meetings or one-to-one chats to get to know you better. A one-to-one meeting can be useful if you want to ask something more specific, such as how to approach readings, prepare for seminars, or manage deadlines. Group meetings are also a good chance to meet other students on your course. This can help you build a bigger circle, hear how others are finding the course, and feel less like you are figuring everything out alone.

They can also point you towards the right support if they cannot answer something themselves. For example, they may suggest where to find study skills help, wellbeing support, careers advice, or academic writing guidance.
In conclusion, I am really sure that academic advisors and peer mentors are there to make university feel more manageable. Whether you need advice or just a clearer idea of where to go next, using these support systems can make a real difference.

Written by Zixuan Nie, a current 4th year BSc Accounting student.

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