S2S (Student 2 Student)

Contact Us S2S (Student 2 Student)
House 47
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
Ireland

View the contact page for more contact and location information

student2student@tcd.ie

S2S Mentor

An S2S Mentor works with one or two others (from the same course wherever possible) to welcome a group of up to 25 undergraduate students arriving in TCD for the first time.

An S2S Mentor walking around the TCD campus

Mentors meet with their groups during Freshers' Week, help everyone in the group get to know each other and host a question and answer session, a campus tour and a library tour. They then arrange for a minimum of 5 social meet-ups each term and maintain regular contact with their groups through email, and through social media.

Apply   

Is this role for me?

If you're planning to be a registered undergraduate student in the next academic year and you know first hand what it takes to survive and thrive throughout TCD's first year experience then Mentoring could be for you! You do need to make a few commitments though - you'll need to be available for orientation, able to arrange meet-ups with your group throughout the year, and regularly check and communicate through your TCD email. You'll also need to complete a 4 hour training session in the Hilary term before orientation (dates available on application) and to pass an online module over the summer.

Volunteer feedback

S2S Survey 2024

“Coming into Trinity, I felt quite lost and everything felt quite foreign. But the day of orientation, when our S2S mentors came and showed us around the place and introduced us to our peers- more than scared and confused, I felt excited and thrilled to start a new chapter of my life.” Anonymous 1st Year, 2022/23 

 

“I found that whether or not you continually engage with your S2S group, the understanding that you get from attending S2S during orientation week is that everyone has the same questions and concerns as everyone else, something which made me much more comfortable when it came to engaging with others in the course.” Anonymous 1st Year, 2023/24 

The title reads Peer Supporter Role Description. The infographic is divided into four sections with the following subtitles: What is a Peer Supporter? What is involved? What do you get? What is expected? Alongside each section there is an accompanying digital icon that matches the text. The background is black and dark turquoise with white text, and some decorative squiggles and dots. The text reads: • What is a peer supporter? A peer supporter is a volunteer available throughout the year to meet with students one-to-one as requested. You must be willing to listen confidentially and without judgement to any student who requests support. Having your own experience of significant difficulties in no way stops you from being a Peer Supporter, so long as you are in a safe and resilient place. • What is involved? Peer supporters have to be available for an intensive 35 hour in-person training from 27th-31st of May 2024. Once trained, Peer Supporters have to be available over email to take requests and to arrange in-person meetups with students. They must also attend refresher training every term (approximately 3 hours), monthly group supervisions with Student Counselling, and regular debriefing with S2S Staff. Alongside one-to-one meet-ups, Peer Supporters may also be requested to provide emergency accompaniment to students referred to A&E, participate in programme strategy meetings, participate in service promotion activities. • What do you get? You will receive extensive training in support work, active listening, challenging personal values, exploration skills, referral, managing significant distress and self-care. Substantial student and staff support frameworks. The opportunity to do something really positive and rewarding. Guaranteed references based on involvement. Strong social network within S2S Society. • What is expected? You will be expected to attend a full week of in-person training (27th-31st of May inclusive). Undergo Garda Vetting. Be available to take casework as of September 2024. To regularly check and respond to your TCD emails. Attend regular debrief sessions with S2S staff. • N.B training places are limited and will be subject to selection based on application forms and interviews. In the footer there is an S2S Logo and a Trinity College Dublin emblem.

How do I become a Mentor?

Mentor recruitment opens in February for the following academic year and runs either until all training spaces are filled or the day before the last training session.

Can I change my training date?

Yes, once you've pplied to be a mentor you can log on to yor profile at s2svolunteer.tcd.ie to change your selected training sesison!

Can I arrive late to training/leave early?

We're sorry, but that's really not an option. You need to attend the full training session in order to be accepted onto the programme. If you really can’t make the full time needed for the session there are many other sessions available at various times. Find one that suits your schedule better and let us know and we’ll arrange to switch you into that one

Can I pair up with my friend?

Absolutely! Once you've completed the online module, you'll be able to express your preference for a Mentor buddy/buddies on your volunteer profile.

Will I be mentoring Students from my own course?

That’s up to you! We ask students to choose between mentoring their own course or international Erasmus/semester abroad programme students, so if you have a strong preference either way, you can let us know. Occasionally we may ask mentors to step in to help us fill shortages from other related courses but this only happens if we don’t have enough mentors for a particular course, and you always have the choice as to which you would rather do.

I’ve been an S2S mentor before. Do I have to train again?

No, you don’t have to come to another training session (although you’re welcome to if you would like a refresher). However, if you’re returning after a year or more away, of if your score on the Blackboard module previously was low, you will be asked to complete the Blackboard module again. You are also welcome to complete the Blackboard module if you’d like to refresh your memory or improve on your previous score!

What is the Blackboard module?

The Blackboard module is a refresher of your training that you complete online over the summer. It’s also where you access your mentor handbook which will be invaluable to you during your time as a mentor. Your percentage score from the Blackboard module is reported on any references you get from us but it’s really easy to get 100%. If you don’t manage it first time, have a look at the feedback, check your answers and try again!

Who has to do the Blackboard module?

Anyone who has signed up to be a mentor for the first time or who is returning to mentoring after a year or more away will have to complete the module before being assigned a group. Also, if you scored below a certain percentage (usually 75-80%) last year, you may be asked to complete the module again before continuing as a mentor.

I’m going to be away for the summer with limited internet access. Do I really have to complete the Blackboard module?

Yes, everyone must complete the module before being assigned a buddy and a group to mentor.