Research has shown that pairing first-year students with a more senior student in a mentoring relationship can significantly improve their university experience and ultimately their chances of academic success.

 In the Humanities, first-year students are paired with a senior Humanities student who has been carefully selected and trained, and who is closely supervised throughout the year: 

• Mentors and mentees meet on a weekly basis in the first semester, as a group with other mentees, or on an individual one-to-one basis.
• Each week, mentors present to mentees a particular topic, which has been chosen because of it’s relevance to the first year of study.
• Mentors provide their mentees with support and guidance in terms of the adjustment to life at university, and know where to refer students should psychosocial or academic problems arise. 

• All first-year students on the Extended Degree are allocated mentors as part of the compulsory support put in place for them.
• A mentor is also available to all other first-year students who feel they could benefit from this mentor relationship. If you would like to have a mentor, email the Humanities Mentors. There is limited availability, so send in your request as close as possible to the start of the first semester. 

• Any Humanities student in second year and beyond can apply to be a mentor.
• The recruitment process begins at the start of the second semester every year. You will see posters up around campus which explain the application process. Alternatively you can email the Humanities Mentors and request application forms.
• There is a rigorous interview process during which applicants are assessed for their ability to engage and support their peers.
• Once selected, mentors receive thorough training at the start of the New Year, before they meet their mentees in the first week of the first semester.