GriffithUniversity’s range ofstudent mentoring programshas something to suit everyone.
With programs for various study areas and degree levels, plusmaths, writing and industry mentoring,commencingstudentscantap into multiple opportunities.
Faith-Marie Miller, who studies at Griffith via Open Universities Australia, says mentoringhas been extremelybeneficialduring her online studies.
“Studying online can sometimes feel like you are studying in isolation, but online group chats and mentors really can assist you in feeling connected,”Faithsays.
“Student mentoring continues to help mebyjust knowing there is someone I can approach if I feel at all overwhelmed or just need to vent.
“Likeminded people are always available to share their experiences, good and bad.”
How mentoring works
Student mentoring at Griffith can take placein groupsonline or in person on campus. Most student mentoring programs offeron-campus and onlineoptions.
Many of the student mentoring programs are for first-year students enrolled in certain degreesand study areas.
General programs such aswriting mentoringormaths mentoringare open to all students at any stage of their journey.
Griffith Matesis ideal for new international students looking topractisetheir Englishlanguage skillsand make new friends.
For online students such as Faith, mentoring takes placeviaYammer, an online chat and collaboration platform.
“Ireceive frequent emails frommymentors and have the option of group chat throughaYammergroup,“Faith says.
“This can include tips of self-care to lessons on navigation of the university sites to make study easily accessible and less daunting.”
Mentors happy to help
HunterDoddsis a mature age studentandwriting mentorwho loves helping others.
“I really enjoymentoring.It fits in nicely with my university scheduleandmy mentor peers are all very talented people,” he says.
“We have a really great team of individuals who have a diverse range of skills from psychology, law, and physics to name a few.”
Hunter says it’s inspiring to see students’skillsimprove and their confidence flourish as a result of mentoring.
“I really enjoy seeing students who use our service actively growing as a writer,” he says.
“I love hearing people’sstories, why they have chosen a certain topicandhelping people to better articulate their knowledge.
“To see people really want to be better every day is so motivating for myself to also be a better person.”
Advice to others
When it comes to student mentoring, Hunter and Faith have the same advice: just get involved.
“As a student,involve yourselfwhen invited to a chat group,”Faith says.
“It not only benefits you but others following as well.
“People may just be following and not entirely engaging with the group,but just one of your experiences or short‘how to‘notices may very well be what some students are looking for.
“I may only check in from time to time,but it really has made a difference for me.”
Hunter says anyone is welcome to drop in to seeGriffith Writing Mentorsthroughout the trimester.
“We a broad range of students,from first–year studentswho are new to academic writing, right through toPhD students,” he says.
“If we don’t know the answers, we can sit with you to figure out the answer. Often we get people who really just need toverbalisetheir ideas.”
As a writing mentor, Hunter says hisbestadviceto studentsis to readtheirassignmentsaloud.
“If it feels awkward or you find it hard to get through the sentence, then the chances are high your marker will feel the same,” he says.
“It may be missed an opportunity to correctly convey an important message.”
For more information, see mentoring at Griffith.