© University of Reading 2008 www.reading.ac.uk

Counselling and Psychological Services &Department of Chemistry

18 April 2023

Transition MentoringTraining for Chemistry Mentors 2009

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What is Mentoring?

• An informal relationship

• A supportive relationship

• A guiding relationship

• Leads to the growth of both mentor and mentee

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What Mentoring isn’t

• Not personal tutoring

• Not psychological counselling

• Not telling someone what to do

• Not doing it for them

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What does the word ‘Mentor’ mean?

• The word ‘Mentor’ first appears in Homer’s Odyssey

• ‘Mentor’ is the name of the disguised goddess ‘Athene’

• In the role of ‘Mentor’ she acts as the guide of the young Telemachus

• Etymologically ‘mentor’ means ‘guide, counsellor’

• Comes from the root ‘men-’ (as in ‘men tal’) meaning ‘remember’, ‘think’

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So…a MENTOR

is someone who…

• keeps the other person in mind

• thinks about what might be going on for them

• ‘looks out’ for them

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What is a mentor?

A mentor is

• guide

• friend

• listener

• coach

• caring person

A mentor isn’t

• guardian angel

• foster parent

• therapist

• probation officer

• tutor

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• Practical– Where can I buy…? Who do I ask about…? How can I

…?

• Social– Good ways to meet people… the cheapest pizza…

the friendliest pub…

• Academic– How do I write a lab report?– What’s expected for an assignment?– What’s the best way to revise for this text?

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What kind of things can a mentor help with?

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Discuss in pairs:

• What would the characteristics of an appalling mentor be?– What would be really unhelpful in a mentor?– What sorts of things would really put you off using a

mentor?

Brainstorm your ideas in the whole group…

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What makes a good mentor?

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• Support new students to develop skills to become – independent adults– independent learners– comfortable about asking questions– able to look for and find their own answers– develop AUTONOMY

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Aims of Transition Mentoring:

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• enabling students to develop new skills

• NOT solving or overcoming ‘problems’

it involves:

• Encouraging

• Supporting

• Enthusing

• Avoiding the word ‘problem’ and the phrase ‘can I help?’

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Good Mentoring is about…

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YOU are the EXPERTS!

YOU have done it already!

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Your experience is key:

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In groups of three, talk about:

• What were you most worried about before you arrived?

• What did you find hardest about – your first term?– Your first year?

• Where were the ‘hotspots’?

• What do you know now that you wish you’d known then?

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What was it like for you?

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• In your groups you will be assigned a theme:– Welcome soundbites – introduce yourselves and

explain your role as mentors– Things you were worried about before you arrived;

what happened to your worries when you got here– What will be happening in Freshers Week – and 3

POSITIVE points about studying in the Chemistry Department

– One piece of advice you would give yourself as a First Year. Close the podcast with a goodbye/see you soon message

Recording a Welcome Podcast

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Part 1 support- Autumn term1. A few weeks before Freshers’ week- email to introduce yourself

2. Freshers’ week- • Wednesday- module enrolment• Friday- meet and greet quiz and chat

3. Week 2/ 3 social activity- mentors to arrangeSupport in terms of practical course worries

4. Week 3- first tutorial to be started and handed in in week 4. First tutorial week 5.

5. Week 6- Refreshers week- may hold study skills session

6. Week 8- begin revision for end of term test in week 10

There are key times within the calendar of a Part 1 student when they may require more support. Listed here are those times. If you can think of any more we can add them to the timeline.

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Part 1 support- spring term

8. Beginning of spring term Organic chemistry test

9. Weeks 2, 3 and 4 IT skills.Coursework due in week 5 or 6

10. Week 7- Organic chemistry final lab report

due in. 11. Week 8- begin revision for end of spring term test in week 10

12. Easter- Begin revision for end of year exams which start in week 5 of summer term

7. Beginning of Spring term- may be a difficult time for some first year students. Some might need extra support.

I will send reminder emails to you all shortly before each. Please make particular effort to contact your mentees at these times.

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• Make it personal and friendly

• Refer to your own (recent) experience

• Add something about what you are doing this year

• Talk about what your favourite 1st year modules were

• Or your least favourite

• Mainly, try and remember what you felt like when you were in their position– What were you worried about?– How did you feel?

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Tips for writing your first email: