When I started uni I was fresh out of high school, and I didn’t know anyone in my degree. I joined peer mentoring because I wanted to make some friends and get used to uni life. My favourite memory was our mid-term event when our group went to Hijinx Hotel. While the challenges were really difficult, I had heaps of fun with everyone.

Hearing my mentors’ advice and personal experiences in medical science helped me realise I wasn’t as alone as I thought. I felt comfortable to ask any questions I had from how to use Moodle to uni life. One of my goals for first-year was to procrastinate less. My mentors gave me some really good guidance, especially using a ‘pomodoro timer’, which still helps me going into second year. I’d recommend the program to all first-years. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time at uni or if you’ve already experienced it before, you’ll gain so much. Whether that’s some study tips, food recommendations on campus, or just a few new friends, it’s such a welcoming experience.

I joined the MSS Peer Mentoring program because I was pretty uncertain about how to handle university, it was really different from my high school experience. So I thought, where better to get advice and help than people who have just been through the same things that I have?

One of my favourite memories was actually at our First Year Camp; both my mentors were volunteers there and I sat down and had a chat with them about everything that I was really worried about with uni, and from then on they made a concerted effort to help me get on track and be able to stay on top of everything. It was really nice to know that even though uni is a self-driven environment, there are still people and resources who are more than willing to lend a helping hand.

Without the program I would’ve struggled a lot more in my first term. My mentors helped with things like creating timetables, study tips and methods, the best way to handle particular subjects, and even putting myself out there and making my first friends at uni.

I honestly can’t stress enough as to how awesome this program was for me, and also for other friends who were mentees. It makes the chaos of your first term at least just a little bit easier.

So anyway what the heck is this photo? 🧗‍♀️

You always start a new year with New Year’s Resolutions right? From the limited taste of co-curricular activities I had in 1st year, I decided 2nd year needed to be different. I tried out for everything I could, and one of those lucky things happened to be MedSciSoc Peer Mentoring. And oh boy...what a ride.

From day 1 of the program I had Goof McGoof by my side (my co-mentor Kumail, who brought loads of laughs and wisdom to me and my mentee group). We teamed together to teach our mentees literally everything we knew about Uni, from the 3991 handbook to study skills, to Arc clubs & societies, mental health and career searching. I learnt how to make new connections, I developed my empathy and organisational skills and I found so much gratitude in being able to share my knowledge to new 1st year Medical Science students.

But this program isn’t just about being a mentor. I was also a mentee, learning leadership skills from my co-mentor. I learnt about the lives of my amazing first year mentees. I met other 1st year mentees from the program. I developed connections with 2nd & 3rd years I had never seen before. This program isn’t just a way to develop your leadership skills or get a fancy AHEGS title, it’s a way to make lasting bonds and connections with other people in your degree.

So what the heck is the photo? It's me with a group of other mentors & mentees at our mentor planned mid-program social event!

My co-coordinator Carey 💃 and I have lots of fun, supportive and skill building initiatives in stall for everyone who joins the program 🌟. So join as a mentor, have fun and make a difference to the lives of 1st years!"

- Chantelle 🌸

“Where should I even begin with peer mentoring 😅. Well, to start off, I can say with confidence that the mentor experience is definitely one of my more memorable experiences out of the limited experiences that this year has provided thus far. I think the opportunity to finally connect with new people after the whole lockdown situation is what makes me feel the way.

Not only did this role allow me to meet and introduce the new first year's to university life, it also helped me do the same for our second year mentors who, unfortunately, had to miss out on a lot of that transition phase. The regular contact days between the mentors and mentees meant that there were days where they could see a familiar face, and I really think that does help tackle all the nerves from having to come to uni by yourself. On the other hand, there definitely is a sense of fulfilment that you get from being able to mentor.

Uni is different to high school in the sense that the 'cohorts' aren't just niche groups that don't mesh. Often you'd find groups of people of different ages and/or even degrees, well atleast that's the environment you find yourself in medical science. So I think it's really important that, as the mentor, you're exposing the mentees to a snippet of that experience. And that's where I found myself, in a position that not only acted in a mentorship role, but also that of someone who they could rely on. And who knows, if you give the program a shot you could even make great friends along the way.

So I strongly implore y'all to apply as a mentor for T1 2022. You'll definitely have a blast especially during the final program party 🥳.”

- Ryan 🐢

“I could not have been happier with how my university life has turned out. Who am I? I am Rochelle, and at the start of 2021 I was a mentee joining the MedSciSoc Peer Mentoring Program with not a single clue on how university life works.

In the photo below, you can see a few of my friends from peer mentoring and I, at the final event. Currently, some of them are my best friends. I am blessed with the most lovely friend group and partake in a range of development opportunities, which have helped me feel confident at university. I have peer mentoring to thank for that. 💞💞💞

Attending peer mentoring for the first time was nerve-racking for me because I was putting myself out there and wasn’t sure what I would gain. After the first session, I had learned more that I could have wished about some ins-and-outs of uni, made amazing friends and become inspired to follow in the shoes of my peer mentors to make the most of my uni life as they had😄. After that, I knew I would not miss a single session of peer mentoring.

My peer mentors, Chantelle and Kumail, always managed to make each session “the highlight of my week” as I would always tell them😌. Chantelle and Kumail would always ensure that I am aware of the best opportunities available and if it weren’t for them I never would have had the confidence to apply for a range of university opportunities, such as Yellow Shirts. Not only am I extremely thankful that I can still seek advice from both of them (sometimes to an annoying level😆) but the events that peer mentoring ran also helped me make lifelong friendships.

Despite the final event of peer mentoring signifying the end of the program, I knew it was just the start of a wonderful 3 years of university ahead.

So, if you are wondering whether becoming a MedSciSoc Peer Mentor will make a difference, then let my testimony be proof to you that your commitment will make a difference to someone’s life🤲🏻😊!”

-Rochelle 🤍