Peer Mentoring@QCA

Mentors Handbook

Peer Mentors Handbook

1. Introduction 3
Aims of Peer Mentoring@QCA …………………………………………………3
Role Descriptions/ Responsibility Statements (mentor, mentee)……………3-5
What Mentoring is/not…………………………………………………………….6

2. Mentor Skills 7
What Makes a Good Mentor…………………………………………………….7
Communication skills…………………………………………………………….8-9
Interpersonal skills……………………………………………………………….10-11
Cross cultural communication…………………………………………………..12-13
Group communication……………………………………………………………14
Group facilitation………………………………………………………………….15

3. Session Facilitation Tips 16
Conducting sessions (outline of things to cover)……………………………..16-17
Icebreaker/conversation starter activities……………………………………...18-20

4. Running the Orientation Group Session 21
Welcome to QCA: Session Outline……………………………………………...21
Session information……………………………………………………………….22
Does orientation matter?................................................................................22
What all successful students do?-Share your success……………………….22
Where am I?-How to be a tour guide……………………………………………22
What are the key Orientation events?............................................................23

5. Information for Mentees 24
Checklist for First Year Students……………………………………………….24
Critical Dates……………………………………………………………………...25
Steps to planning a weekly study schedule……………………………………25

6. Mentor Self Care 26
Code of Conduct………………………………………………………………….26
Effective Mentors…………………………………………………………………26
Managing Challenges……………………………………………………………26
How to refer to Counselling……………………………………………………...27

6. Making Referrals 28
First year Website………………………………………………………………..28
Learning Services………………………………………………………………..28
Student Services…………………………………………………………………28-30

8. Information and Forms 31
Meetings…………………………………………………………………………..31
Reporting………………………………………………………………………….31
Supervision process……………………………………………………………..31
Peer Mentoring Program Coordinator’s contact details……………………...32
Peer Mentor@QCA Weekly Report…………………………………………….33
Peer Mentor Program Sign Up………………………………………………….34

Section One: Introduction
Aims of Peer Mentoring@ QCA
For many students, the transition to first year in higher education can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming. This places some students at risk of not completing their studies unless they receive effective learning assistance and personal support. Others may persist, but not achieve their full potential.

Peer Mentoring at QCA aims to help students find support from each other through small group mentoring, during this transition phase. The program therefore links high achieving students (Peer Mentors) with first years in their program; to provide some guidance, promote learning, social networking, and a positive identity with their school, program and QCA generally.

It is hoped this program will enable rewarding learning experiences, engage first year students more actively in the university environment, help them to overcome difficulties, and to start to build constructive and rewarding peer relationships that will be helpful in their academic and future careers.

Peer Mentor Role
Roles

1

Promote services and orientation activities offered by QCA to commencing students

2

Provide information to commencing students about support services on campus

3

Provide answers to all the questions commencing students have e.g. transport, shopping, accommodation etc

4

Refer students to relevant University elements to get the assistance they need i.e. Student Services, Learning Services, Student Administration, the Library etc

5

Listen to students if they have problems and concerns and refer them to the appropriate services and staff.

6

Provide a link between QCA and commencing students

7

Identify any issues in relation to peer mentoring and provide feedback to Students Services staff and QCA for improvement

8

Share your experiences with commencing students