Foundation Year Experience Mentors
The Foundation Year Experience Mentoring scheme has been created as a way of enabling current foundation year students in accessing additional support to help them through their studies and general university life. Experience mentors are current Keele students who have previously completed the foundation year, so are well placed to offer guidance and share knowledge and experience. Experience mentors have received training, and will be able to answer questions you may have related to your academic studies and social activities on campus, as well as general queries that you may have during your time as a foundation year student at Keele.
The scheme also offers you opportunities to meet other foundation year students outside of your structured classes and a chance to learn more about what your chosen degree pathway will include once you progress from the foundation year onto year one of your degree, by attending one or more of the mentoring events that will take place throughout the academic year.
Your mentor will be able to share with you their experiences and tips to help you to get the best out of your time at Keele.
As the academic year progresses, we hope to be able to run campus events for students involved in the scheme, subject to the university's level of operations.
An Experience Mentor…
- Is an experienced student who has previously completed Foundation Year.
- Shares their knowledge and experience to help you to solve problems.
- Can provide advice and guidance on a range of university issues.
- Acts as a point of contact for academic related questions.
- Can help you to build networks and connections within the Keele community.
By accessing support through the Foundation Year mentoring scheme, you will benefit in the following ways:
- Receive support from an experienced student.
- Help through periods of transition.
- Guidance on academic queries.
- Build networks within the Keele community.
- Increase your confidence.
- Gives you a first point of contact for support questions.
- Advice from a student who has already experienced the Foundation Year.
Who can be a Foundation Year Experience mentor?
If you are a current undergraduate student who has previously completed the Foundation Year, you can sign up to provide peer support to new Foundation Year students.
What does the role involve?
The role would involve you providing guidance and support to new Foundation Year students, through email, online chat, and other virtual methods. You may also choose to meet in person or attend meet-up events. Training will be provided.
How do I apply?
If you are interested in being a Foundation Year Experience mentor please complete the expression of interest form.
Applications for 2022/23 will close on 31st October 2022.
What training will I receive?
All FY Experience mentors who are sucessfully recruited through the application process will complete a compulsory training session via Teams which will provide them with the information and skills they need for their role, through exploration of a range of scenarios and role plays relating to student transition and experience.
Experience mentors represent Keele and follow a code of conduct to ensure a quality provision for new students. As part of the training, they are also made aware of what they can’t and shouldn’t do within the role, and also where to refer students onto more appropriate support as required.
I have some more questions, who can I speak to?
If you have any questions about the scheme before applying, you can contact the Student Experience and Support Officer.
Request an Experience Mentor
1. Complete the sign-up form.
2. We will then allocate you with one of our trained peer mentors.
3. Your peer mentor will email your Keele account to introduce themselves and offer guidance.
4. You can then communicate with your peer mentor on an ongoing basis.
5. Your mentor can offer advice on academic and general university matters.
New students starting the Foundation Year in January 2023 will also be able to access the support of an experience mentor.