Awards Ceremony Recognises the Role of Student Mentors

Posted on: 19 April 2011

Trinity College students who took part in the peer mentor volunteer programme were recently presented with awards by the Provost, Dr John Hegarty, in recognition of their contribution to College society, their colleagues and peers.  The students, who had participated in the Student 2 Student (S2S) peer mentor volunteer programme, help first year students settle into College life by devoting some time and imparting the benefit of their student experience to new students.

Congratulating the students Provost Dr John Hegarty said: “The skills you have all learned during this past year will stand to you no matter what path your careers should take – as leaders and supporters, as helpers and organisers, as colleagues, classmates, and most of all as peers.” 

Provost, Dr John Hegarty with students who received peer mentor awards.

As peer mentors the student’s main responsibility lies with organising social events to give new students an opportunity to get to know each other, and provide support and information when needed.  Commenting on her experience as a peer mentor student Eibhin Coveney said: “I’ve been a mentor for the past two years and during that time I’ve made some amazing friends and had great fun with my fellow students.  There a lots of benefits to being a peer mentor from a career perspective and also to gain a greater college experience.  It’s an exciting time for S2S, the programme is still growing and evolving and the students are the ones propelling it forward.  I’m really looking forward to being involved as a peer mentor for 2011/2012!’

The S2S peer mentor volunteer programme is a joint initiative supported by Student Counselling Service and the Senior Tutor’s Office.  Currently the programme is available to all first year students in Two Subject Moderatorship, Medicine, Science, Nursing and Business Economic and Social Studies.  It is hoped the programme will be expanded during the forthcoming academic year to include engineering and computer science also.  Each of the student volunteers are trained to mentor incoming first year students ensuring each participant gets the most out of the project.  Students who are interested in becoming peer mentors for 2011/ 2012 can find out more information online.