UCD Peer Mentor Handbook
September 2015
612
peer mentors welcoming
4266
first years to UCD.
CONTENTS 1 What is Mentoring? 1 2 Peer Mentoring in UCD 2 3 Mentor Skills Training 5 4 Peer Mentoring Website 10 5 Mentor Activities 11 6 Mentor Activity Plan
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7 Campus Tour Tips 16 9 UCD Supports 20
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What is
MENTORING?
Being a Peer Mentor gave me a whole new set of skills. It enabled me to help other incoming students as my Peer Mentor did for me the previous year.� As a Peer Mentor, I got to meet some amazing people and made lots of new friends and connections in UCD A mentor is a guide who assists people who are undergoing transition. Having gone through such experiences themselves, mentors share with others what they have learned and offer advice and support throughout the process. Over time, and with the mentor’s help, a mentee develops a greater understanding of the challenges facing them and gains confidence in their own ability to deal with new experiences.
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PEER MENTORING in UCD
Peer Mentors have been a very important part of UCD since 2006. As a Peer Mentor you are a positive role model to your mentees and will offer peer support, guidance, and practical help to them.
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In your role, you will help make coming to UCD a more welcoming and less daunting experience for first year students. As well as arranging informal meetings and social events for your mentees, you will also be available to assist with any queries or concerns which they may have. You will be supported by your Student Adviser or BA Student Progression Manager along the way.
The UCD Peer Mentoring Programme aims to: • help new students make friends and settle into their course • encourage new students to get involved in social activities • prepare new students for first year by encouraging them to develop specific study skills • reassure new students when it comes to concerns they may have about starting college • support new students in solving problems which at the start of Stage 1 can seem very difficult but which, with the right help, can be easily addressed
• provide a space where new students can ask questions, no matter how big or small they may seem • assist new students in navigating the various academic and personal supports that are available to them in UCD • enhance the overall quality of the first year experience • equip Peer Mentors with organisational, communication and leadership skills which are valuable transferable skills for your future
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YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES as a Peer Mentor: • meet with your mentees during Orientation and create a schedule of activities and social events throughout the first semester
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MENTOR SKILLS Training
As Peer Mentors, you develop and improve a number of important skills. During your training, you identify your strengths in these areas and explore how you can further develop these skills and gain confidence throughout the mentoring programme.
• maintain regular contact with your Student Adviser/ BA Student Progression Manager on issues of importance • demonstrate a committed approach to the role • listen to the needs of your students, either as a group or individually, and provide an appropriate and timely level of support or referral • log your mentor activities on your UCD SISweb account • attend debriefing meetings with your Student Adviser/ BA Student Progression Manager and provide feedback when requested • help new students to access the University’s support services where appropriate • represent yourself and the University in a constructive, helpful and positive way • participate in the evaluation of the programme when it is over
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Support
Organisation & Planning
Key Mentor Information sharing Skills Confidence
Motivation
Openness
Communication
Reflection
Self-care and Boundaries
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MENTOR SKILLS Training
Organisation & Planning What are my strengths?
As a Peer Mentor how can I develop this strength?
As a Peer Mentor how can I develop this strength?
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What are my strengths?
As a Peer Mentor how can I develop this strength?
What are my strengths?
As a Peer Mentor how can I develop this strength?
Self-Care and Boundaries
Communication What are my strengths?
Reflection
Training
Motivation
Openness What are my strengths?
MENTOR SKILLS
As a Peer Mentor how can I develop this strength?
What are my strengths?
As a Peer Mentor how can I develop this strength?
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MENTOR SKILLS Information Sharing What are my strengths?
Training
As a Peer Mentor how can I develop this strength?
My Mentor Story Use this section to reflect on and write about your own experiences of coming to college, include the insights you’ve gained and the challenges you’ve faced. Sharing your story with your mentees is a great way to help them settle into college.
Confidence What are my strengths?
As a Peer Mentor how can I develop this strength?
Support What are my strengths?
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As a Peer Mentor how can I develop this strength?
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PEER MENTORING
website
www.ucd.ie/peermentoring The UCD Peer Mentoring website is a public website with information about UCD’s Peer Mentor programme. There will be a mentors section on this website with further resources and information that will assist you with your role throughout the year. Specifically you will find sections on: • the various support services available to all students in UCD • important contact details • suggestions for a campus tour • information on mentor skills development • ideas for mentor activities • news for mentors
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Find us on facebook
www.facebook.com/groups/
ucdpeermentors2015 Responsible social media usage Mentors will adhere to the UCD Student Code at all times, incuding activities on social media. The policy on social media engagment is available on the peer mentoring website.
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MENTOR Activities
Introduce your mentees to UCD and college life through a range of informal and formal activities. When selecting activities choose ones that encourage your mentees to talk, ask questions, become friends and get to know more about UCD. This can be as simple as meeting up for a cup of coffee or going for a walk around the campus. There are so many things to do on campus. Here are a few low cost / no cost suggestions... • Go to a sports class together
• Hold a ‘how to use blackboard’ session
• Have a meeting to share study tips
• Meet for a coffee
• Organise a tour of Dublin city
• Go to a debate on campus
• Have a picnic lunch by the lake
• Support one of UCD’s many sports teams by going to one of their games / matches
• Go on a woodland walk • Visit the bookshops on campus
By posting your successful activities on our Peer Mentoring Facebook page hopefully we’ll generate a range of other ideas.
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SUGGESTED WEEKLY PEER MENTOR ACTIVITIES FOR SEPTEMBER UCD SPORT
IT SERVICES
Peer Mentors have the option to contact Carmel Keane (UCD Sports Education Officer) at carmel. keane@ucd.ie to request to book one of the following activities for your peer mentor group.
DISCOVER IT ONLINE QUIZ
THE UCD CAREER DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ACTIVITY
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS:
Log in to Blackboard
Gather your group together.
Activities to choose from:
Select the Discover IT module from your “My Modules” list Click on the “Discover IT Quiz” button in the left hand navigation. Follow the instructions and complete the quiz.
Have students watch the “Lucy gets the job” animation on the Career Development Centre website (2.09 minutes).
• • • • •
Trampoline* Rock Climbing* Basketball Ultimate Frisbee Zumba Session
Activities restricted to Mon – Fri 8am – 4pm
MESSAGE TO PASS ON TO MENTEES This activity is about demonstrating that the student is able to access module content in Blackboard.
Duration of sports activity will be 50 minutes There will be a requirement for a minimum of 10 students for each booking and some activities* will have a limit on the number of students allowed to participate STEPS FOR BOOKING AN ACTIVITY Email Carmel Keane (carmel.keane@ucd.ie) to request a ‘Peer Mentor Activity’ booking form. Completed booking form must be returned 2 weeks prior to proposed date of activity to allow for the arrangement of facilities plus coaches / instructors required MESSAGE TO PASS ONTO MENTEES UCD has lots of sports opportunities for all levels of sports Join Get in Gear to try them out Important for social life, health and our minds to be involved in activity! 12
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Ask students to complete the ENGAGE- form available in advance from the Career Development Centre reception.
LIBRARY CHALLENGE (If you have any questions on how to complete the activity, ask a member of Library Staff at any of our desks, or email jenny.collery@ucd.ie)
Using a laptop, tablet, or UCD computer go to http://libguides.ucd.ie/newstudents/peermentors Look at the Finding Books using OneSearch YouTube video clip on this page.
Have students register for “Career Zone” on Blackboard– interactive on-line help with developing a CV for internships and other job opportunities.
Answer the three questions listed underneath this by searching the Library Homepage, www.ucd.ie/ library.
Have students like the Career Development Centre on facebook.
Peer Mentors, remember to include your email address, to be in with a chance to win a €5.00 uCard for each member of your group.
Ask students to identify their own Career & Skills Consultant from the “Meet the team” page on the website under the “About Us” section. Drop the tear off slip at the bottom of the “ENGAGE” form into the Career Development Centre for 4 prize draws of €50 one for all vouchers. MESSAGE TO PASS ON TO MENTEES Get involved while studying. Being active in areas like Clubs, Societies, Sports, Volunteering help develop a stand-out CV.
NOTES FOR MENTORS: OneSearch is the place to start looking for books, journals, and information for any assignments. The Library website, www.ucd.ie/library will have all information about services and facilities. Staff at Library Information Desks are there to help answer students’ questions about using the Library and finding materials. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Get a part-time job and apply for an internship to provide evidence of employability skills. Learn a new language or study abroad on ERASMUS to give your CV an international dimension. Make good use of the Career Development Centre and its website/social media.
UCD CINEMA www.ucd.ie/studentcentre
During September, all mentors can bring their mentee group to the cinema free of change. Join the Peer Mentor group page to find out how! 13
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MENTOR Activity Plan
MENTOR Activity Plan DATE/ TIME
ACTIVITY
PREPARATION / RESOURCES NEEDED
Orientation
(examples below but you might have other activities you wish to do)
• Ice breakers • Share your story about coming to UCD • Team building • Getting to know the campus • Important services • Other ideas?
A mentoring relationship requires a certain amount of structured activities to encourage mentee engagement. Use this space to plan the types of activities you intend to organise for your mentees throughout the programme.
Some of your Orientation activities will be assigned to you. However feel free to use the sheet on the next page to plan other activities for your group during Orientation and for the rest of the mentor programme.
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This Activity Plan represents your commitment to your mentor role. Use your plan to keep track of your activities. As you complete your activities, don’t forget to log them in your SISweb page for recognition!
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CAMPUS TOUR
TIPS
When going in or out of the building, lead the way as this saves time an doesn’t leave the group wondering where to go Make sure to show them areas specific to their programme
Introduce yourself and inform the group on how long the tour is and what is involved Use the path or the grass area to talk to the group before starting the tour
Say a few words about why you came to UCD and some interesting facts about yourself
Demonstrate a positive feeling about the university; new students will sense it immediately
It is preferable that you walk backwards facing the group as you talk throughout the tour, but if you find this difficult then stop for a few mintues and talk facing the group
Before beginning the tour, ask the group a few questions on what they are interested in seeing in UCD and what they have heard about the university Be enthusiastic and approachable
Project your voice so that it can be heard clearly by all
Say ‘Hello’ to other mentoring groups as you meet them
If you can, try and address the students by name and hold good eye contact
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When appropriate, use gentle humour – don’t get bogged down with figures and facts. The students will want to hear about the ‘real’ UCD 17
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CAMPUS TOUR
Dublin Bus Stop
MAP
Aircoach Bus Stop Entrance
P
Parking
Dublin Bus Stop
< Donnybrook
Aircoach Bus Stop
N11 Entrance
Entrance
P
Parking
Greenfield
N11
(Pedestrian
Stillorgan > UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre
PP
UCD Conway Institute
Computer Science
O'Reilly Hall
UCD Confucius Institute (under construction)
P UCD Health Sciences Centre
P
P
P
St. Stephen's Chaplaincy
UCD Agriculture & Food Sciences Centre
UCD James Joyce Library
UCD Newman
Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
P
UCD Global Lounge UCD Gerard Manley Hopkins International Centre
d
tea
ws
P
P
P
UCD Sutherland School of Law
P
d
tea
ws
Ne
Richview Entrance
Merville Residences
Richview Newstead Entrance
P Ne
Richview Entrance
Sport Centre
Daedalus
QUAD
Student Centre
P
Tierney
P
Glenomena Residences UCD Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy (Richview)
Student Centre
P
UCD Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy (Richview)
UCD O'Brien Centre for Science
P
UCD Engineering & Material Science Centre
U CA Centr RD al
(Pedestrian Entrance)
Hub UCD L o Schoo chlann Qu inn l of Bu sines s
Greenfield Entrance
P
P Belgrove Residences
P Roebuck Hall Residences
Clonskeagh Entrance
P
Owenstown Entrance
Richview Newstead Entrance
Clonskeagh Road
Fosters Avenue
Clonskeagh Entrance
Roebuck Castle
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Clonskeagh Road
Roebuck Road
(Pedestrian Entrance)
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UCD SUPPORTS
PEER MENTORING
STUDENT ADVISERS
STUDENT HEALTH
U CARD
Where: Across campus www.ucd.ie/peermentoring
Where: Across Campus www.ucd.ie/studentadvisers
Where: Student Centre www.ucd.ie/stuhealth
Activities:
Services:
Services:
Where: Copi-print bureau, next to Theatre L Newman Building www.ucd.ie/ucard
• • • •
Orientation support Student led group support Social activities Peer led sharing of college experiences • Campus tours, Library tours • Information for students • Referrals to other supports
• • • •
Individual advice and support Practical information for students Financial advice and assistance Assistance for students with university policies such as Extenuating circumstances, student complaints, assessment appeals • Referrals to other university services • Advice on withdrawal from programme • Peer Mentoring
For a fee: GP consultation, contraception, STI screening, cervical smear, Gardasil, Implanon, sports clinic, travel clinic, vaccines Free services: counselling, alcohol counsellor
U Cards are the UCD Student ID Card and can also be used for library entry, purchasing items at various retail outlets across campus, photocopying and printing, laundry in residences .
STUDENT DESK
UCD RESIDENCES
LIBRARY
UCD INTERNATIONAL
PROGRAMME OFFICES
CHAPLAINS
Where: Tierney Building www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/ studentdesk
Where: Merville Residence www.ucd.ie/residences
www.ucd.ie/library
Where: Gerard Manley Hopkins Building www.ucd.ie/international
Where: Across Campus
www.ucd.ie/chaplaincy
www.ucd.ie/programmeoffices.htm
Services:
• Module registrations and substitutions • Programme Information • Stage Progression • Repeat / Resit registrations • Extenuating circumstance applications • Programme requirements and compliance • Withdrawal from programme and leave of absence applications • Transfer of credits from previous study • Recognition of Prior Learning
• • • • •
Services: • • • • • • •
Form stamping Transcripts Fees Admissions Certificates of Attendance Assessment Queries Online official documentation
BA STUDENT PROGRESSION MANAGER Where: G002 Newman Building • Orientation • Peer Mentoring
Services: • Campus accommodation • Residential activities (Res Life Programme) • Off campus booking support (www.ucdaccommodationpad.ie/ Accommodation)
Borrowing books Online catalogue IT services Laptop loans Information desk Group study rooms Individual study rooms
WRITING CLINICS
MATHS SUPPORT CENTRE
Where: James Joyce Library www.ucd.ie/library/supporting_you/ support_learning/librarylink/writing
Where: James Joyce Library www.ucd.ie/msc
Services: Free drop in informal academic writing support for students
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• • • • • • •
• • • •
Issuing U Cards Replacement U Cards Topping up U Cards Queries regarding U Card Balances
Services: • Supporting incoming and outgoing exchange students • Pre-arrival information for new international students • Orientation programmes • Cultural and social events • Assistance with University procedures • Handbook for International Students • International Student Adviser who assists with personal and practical issues
ACCESS CENTRE – DISABILITY SERVICES Where: James Joyce Library Building – level 1 www.ucd.ie/openingworlds/ ucdaccesscentre Services: • Needs assessment for disability supports • Advice for students to successfully manage their disability • Exam accommodations
UCD STUDENTS UNION Where: Student Centre www.ucdsu.ie Services: • • • • • • •
Campaign for student issues Forums Executive committee Welfare office Education office Class reps Shops and services
Personal support Volunteering Worship Financial advice and assistance Support student religious groups
Services: Free drop in informal maths support for students
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Notes
Peer Mentor BBQ! Friday August 28th from 1.30pm The Clubhouse UCD
Peer Mentor
Team Games Area Giant Jenga, Connect 4, Rounders and much more! Try them out at the BBQ on Friday 28th Use them with your mentor groups any time during Orientation Week Open from 11am – 4pm Monday 31st August – Friday 4th September
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The UCD Peer Mentor Programme is coordinated and managed by the UCD Student Advisers and the BA Student Progression Manager www.ucd.ie/peermentoring peermentoring@ucd.ie www.facebook.com/UCDPeerMentoring