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Whilst we believe that our mentoring programme is fantastic - you don't just have to take our word for it! Below you will find testimonials from previous mentors, who have offered their own thoughts on the scheme, on some of the challenges you might face as a mentor, and on the rewards & personal development you can expect to gain through the programme!
Whilst we believe that our mentoring programme is fantastic - you don't just have to take our word for it! Below you will find testimonials from previous mentors, who have offered their own thoughts on the scheme, on some of the challenges you might face as a mentor, and on the rewards & personal development you can expect to gain through the programme!
Mentor testimonials - What do they have to say?
Mentor testimonials - What do they have to say?
I have been a mentor for 2 years and its been such a great experience. I have been able to be part of a community of mentors from subjects across the university and had the opportunity to work with a wide range of pupils from across Sheffield, Rotherham and Derbyshire. During mentoring, I have developed skills myself while working with the young people, its a win-win.
Selena, Geography BSc with Employment Experience.
I’ve really enjoyed the mentoring experience throughout my two years as a mentor. I’ve gained so many skills, but more importantly, helped mentees to discover theirs. Seeing which subjects inspire joy or passion within students is an incredibly rewarding experience, particularly as you know you’re helping them shape their future.
Mubeenah, English Language and Literature.
It has been very rewarding to be able to use what I've learnt in life and at university to help school students reach their goals, and achieve them. The time between school and finishing university is relatively short compared to the rest of your adult life, but doing this programme has made me realise how much I have learnt both academically and personally since school. After university, I hope that I will continue to have experiences as both a mentor and a mentee.
Erin, Masters of Biological Science in Molecular Biology
I have done mentoring for two years now at three different schools, and have had such a rewarding experience. Not only have I been able to work with some wonderful mentees, but I have also really enjoyed working with other University students and seeing places in Sheffield I wouldn’t have otherwise.
Alice, History.
I was very apprehensive when I started as a mentor, but it's been one of the best experiences I've had. I've been doing it for 2 years now and would love to do another! It's given me the opportunity to meet so many incredible people and allowed me to develop so many transferable skills. I have absolutely no regrets and I don't know why I was apprehensive!
Amy, Bmus - Music
I thoroughly enjoyed the mentoring programme and the transferable skills both myself and my mentees got out of it. It was fantastic to share knowledge and wisdom that I didn't even know I had with my mentees and see them develop throughout the programme.
Nick, Chemical Engineering.
Mentoring has been a valuable experience, not only for my mentees but for me as a mentor. Its exciting to see the mentees that you form a personal relationship with flourish and reach their goals, all while you develop skills yourself. I cant recommend mentoring enough to anyone who is interested in taking on the role!
Charlotte, Philosophy
For more testimonials, click the link below!
For more testimonials, click the link below!
Mentor tips, advice and reflections!
Mentor tips, advice and reflections!
Below you will find feedback from previous mentors on their top tips for mentoring, for dealing with shy mentees, for tackling those first day nerves and for creating session material!
What do you do with a shy or withdrawn Mentee? How can you build up that rapport?
What do you do with a shy or withdrawn Mentee? How can you build up that rapport?
As a mentor, you have the ability to be that person in between a friend and a teacher. You still need to maintain a professional relationship but you can relax and have jokes and a laugh during your session! I often used to get them to speak to me more about their day and what they liked to do. This sometimes helped me have a follow up conversation the next week about something they mentioned the previous week e.g. did you have a nice birthday?/how was your football match? - Katie, LLB Law.
Try and find topics that your mentees are interested in to try and connect to them. If it's something you don't know much about, do a little research and ask them about it! I found it much easier to set goals and work with my mentees after we had had made a more personal connection to each other. - Charlotte, Philosophy.
Playing games in your first session is a great way to help break the ice! I take a pack of cards to every session and when ever a mentee is feeling a bit shy or demotivated I play a game like snap or dobble and this helps get things going! - Rhea, Economics.
Do you have any tips for creating session resources and staying organised?
Do you have any tips for creating session resources and staying organised?
Remember your other mentors, we're all here to support eachother. If you need advice, just ask. And remember the MentorHub, I didn't use it much in my first year as a mentor and now (2 years later) I'm on it all the time and I can't believe I wasn't using it from the start. I make some of my own resources too (It's important to tailor to the mentee) but just remember the Hub is there, there's so many useful resources and it's a great starting point. - Amy, Music.
Plan, plan plan! At the end of each mentoring session I take 15 minutes to roughly plan what to do next week as what my mentees want to do is fresh in my mind and I have plenty of time to gather resources or whatever I need in the week. I also find talking to your team about what to do is good as often mentees want help in similar areas and so having 3 mentors work on resources (that can be shared) is better than one! - Olivia, English Language & Linguistics.
Creating your own resources can be a really helpful way of gaining confidence in mentoring, as you are in more control. These can also be easily adapted to your individual mentees needs and personalities, giving you more flexibility. - Lisa, International Relations & Politics
Make sure you would enjoy what you’re doing. If it’s fun they’ll be engaged! - Sean, Archaeology & History
Many new mentors might feel apprehensive about the impact of their sessions. What has been your experience?
Many new mentors might feel apprehensive about the impact of their sessions. What has been your experience?
Your influence alone as a student talking to them about their concerns is massive, they might hear things from you about your experience that no one else can really tell them. The stuff in relation to university experience you are speaking to them about is something they’ve likely never heard before and it’s very valuable to them. - Johanna, English Language & Literature.
Lots of small pieces of work done in mentoring can make a big impact on mentees. It might not always be as obvious as a better grade, but instead just a improvement in attitude or approach to school and work. - Charlotte, Philosophy.
Don't worry! You're doing great, even if the mentee doesn't necessarily show it, you're making a difference. Just keep going, keep trying new things, and remember to ask the mentees for feedback, if there's a different way they'd prefer it to be done, if there's a particular activity they'd like to try. Constant evaluation and feedback is important. - Selena, Geography BSC with Employment experience.
Even if it seems like your sessions aren't progressing as quick as another mentors don't overthink about it. All mentees have their own pace and you will be surprised how much they take away from the sessions and how much they enjoy it. - Laiba, Mechatronics & Robotics.
Re-entering a school environment can be quite daunting, what top tips do you have for going back into schools and working with young students?
Re-entering a school environment can be quite daunting, what top tips do you have for going back into schools and working with young students?
The students are probably more nervous than you, so don't worry! Confidence and a smiley, friendly nature. They will warm to this! - Sophie, Religion, Theology & the Bible.
Use this as an opportunity to create a more positive experience of being in a school environment. Be reassured that you can use your experiences to help create a more positive environment for your mentees. - Lisa, International Relations & Politics
It can be daunting at first but just remember you're not a teacher. They're not that much younger than us and it isn't long since we were in their position. Just remember how you felt when you were their age, if you'd had this opportunity how would you have liked your mentor to be with you. Just make sure you really get to know them and let them get to know you and everything will be fine. - Amy, Music.
For a larger list of responses to these questions, please follow the link below!
For a larger list of responses to these questions, please follow the link below!
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