Griffith University’s range of student mentoring programs has something to suit everyone.
With programs for various study areas and degree levels, plus maths, writing and industry mentoring, commencing students can tap into multiple opportunities.
Faith-Marie Miller, who studies at Griffith via Open Universities Australia, says mentoring has been extremely beneficial during 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,” Faith says.
“Student mentoring continues to help me by just 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 place in groups online or in person on campus. Most student mentoring programs offer on-campus and online options.
Many of the student mentoring programs are for first-year students enrolled in certain degrees and study areas.
General programs such as writing mentoring or maths mentoring are open to all students at any stage of their journey.
Griffith Mates is ideal for new international students looking to practise their English language skills and make new friends.
For online students such as Faith, mentoring takes place via Yammer, an online chat and collaboration platform.
“I receive frequent emails from my mentors and have the option of group chat through a Yammer group,“ 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
Hunter Dodds is a mature age student and writing mentor who loves helping others.
“I really enjoy mentoring. It fits in nicely with my university schedule and my 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’ skills improve 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’s stories, why they have chosen a certain topic and helping 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 yourself when 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 see Griffith Writing Mentors throughout the trimester.
“We a broad range of students, from first–year students who are new to academic writing, right through to PhD 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 to verbalise their ideas.”
As a writing mentor, Hunter says his best advice to students is to read their assignments aloud.
“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.