FUTURE STUDENTS
Peer Mentor & Support programs
Peer Mentoring at UNSW
Many Faculties and Schools at UNSW support their first year students through allocated mentors who provide advice and assistance, as well as being just a friendly face and someone to answer questions. There are also mentoring programs specifically for Rural and Intertate students, Mature Age students, International students, Indigenous students and University Preparation Program students (to find out more, see below).
Mentoring is an informal process where more experienced students pass on their knowledge and skills to first year students and help with the social adjustment to university life. When you first start at UNSW, signing up for the mentoring program gives you an opportunity to find out important facts about being a first year student: like where the library is, how to catch a bus to Circular Quay, how to choose a general education subject, and so on. Through the Peer Mentor Program social events you will also meet other first year students who are in the same position as you, who could even become good friends.
Mentoring is not tutoring, although it does provide you with an important support structure to help you make the transition to university life while you ‘find your feet’.
Mentoring is an informal process where more experienced students pass on their knowledge and skills to first year students and help with the social adjustment to university life. When you first start at UNSW, signing up for the mentoring program gives you an opportunity to find out important facts about being a first year student: like where the library is, how to catch a bus to Circular Quay, how to choose a general education subject, and so on. Through the Peer Mentor Program social events you will also meet other first year students who are in the same position as you, who could even become good friends.
Mentoring is not tutoring, although it does provide you with an important support structure to help you make the transition to university life while you ‘find your feet’.
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Contact the relevant Faculty Program Office to find out if mentoring is currently available in your School or Faculty. The Counselling Service COMPASS Programs and International Student Services co-ordinate the other peer mentor programs. To find out more about these programs contact peermentoring@unsw.edu.au.
Peer Writing Assistants
Writing Assistants are graduate students or other peers who meet with students in the The Learning Centre to provide assistance with academic writing. They can help students become better writers and learn how to use the conventions, rules and processes of writing. They help with the development of ideas, the organisation of papers, clarity, style, sentence structure and grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Students Training Students (STS)
The Union’s STS program is a series of short professional courses run by students and geared at developing the skills you need for both academic and professional success. The courses are run in a friendly and supportive atmosphere by the Union with helpful and approachable trainers. Email sts@union.unsw.edu.au for more information.
Student Leadership and Alumni Program (SLAP)
SLAP is a relatively new program coordinated by the Union’s Student Devlopment department and supported by the UNSW Alumni Association. SLAP provides a unique opportunity for UNSW students to develop and improve their leadership skills, helping them perform better personally, professionally and academically. Email slap@union.unsw.edu.au for more information.
