The P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Programme at SETU on the Waterford campus is a student mentoring and support programme designed to help first years settle into college life. Students from 2nd year and above volunteer as trained peer mentors for incoming first years.

If peer 2 peer is offered on your course then at orientation a student will be placed in a small group (5) with their mentors and given a campus tour. It is a chance to ask questions, see the campus and during the year the mentors can offer to meet you weekly (over a 3 week period), maybe around exam time etc to help you settle in and provide you with university information and advice in person and via WhatsApp.

The mentors offer to meet the students a total of 7 times:

• During Orientation.
• Once a week, for the first 3 weeks.
• Once before exams and once after exams.
• Before results.

First years will meet their mentors on Orientation Day, where they will be added to WhatsApp group chats with their mentors, this is how mentors will communicate with their first years. They will then do some icebreakers and be taken on a campus tour, before they are taken to their classroom talks.

The programme can help with things such as:

• Getting used to college life.
• Finding classrooms/buildings.
• Understanding timetables, exams and modules.
• Answering questions about clubs, societies and student life.
• Helping students make friends and feel less isolated.
• Pointing students toward support services if needed.

Let’s talk P2P? Ft. Molly Lenehan’s Experience – SETU Podcasts

Why do students become Peer Mentors?

Mentors volunteer their time, but it’s also good experience for:

• CVs
• Leadership experience
• Communication skills
• Teaching/support roles
• Psychology/Social Science can get career-focused experience

SETU | Peer Mentoring Waterford Campus

Diana Kaltcheva Student Life & Learning.