Whether you’re studying education, food and nutrition or psychological sciences at Federation University Online, ensuring you have the right support is our top priority. From your first year of online study, you’ll have access to extensive support that consists of valuable tools and resources. From Course Consultants to Online Learning Advisors (OLAs), our student support network aims to provide you with intentional guidance to help you succeed. But adjusting to online studying can be overwhelming, and that’s why we’ve implemented our Student Mentor Program.
As a peer-to-peer program, you’ll get support from those who have first-hand experience studying at Federation University Online. Student mentors like Melissa Northway, Grant Roberts and Chloe Greenwood, who have successfully completed their first year of studying, have chosen to help new students navigate their first year of online learning.
Hear From Our Student Mentors
What is a Student Mentor?
A student mentor is someone who has successfully completed their first year at Federation University Online. As students with lived experience of online study, they provide guidance, support and encouragement to new students. They are there to help make your transition to online learning as easy as possible and be someone to lean on when you need support.
Relatability between mentors and mentees is something we always take into consideration. That’s why we keep age and location in mind when matching mentors with new students. Once you are part of the program and assigned a mentor, you can expect to receive a weekly email from them. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach out to them via email, SMS, phone call or whatever communication platform you feel most comfortable communicating in.
“As a student mentor at Federation [University] Online, I check in with the mentees weekly, via email, call or text, depending on what they are comfortable with, and pick their brain on what they might be struggling with or what information they might need,” says Grant Roberts. “We sometimes just have a general chat and [I] get to know them a little bit better [so that they know] someone is there, in their corner, that they can relate to.”
How We Choose Our Student Mentors
Ensuring that you get the best quality advice and support is crucial. That’s why we match students with mentors who are doing the same course as them. As a current student who is further along in their study journey, mentors can share their first-hand experience of what studying online is like.
Federation University Online have two ways of becoming a student mentor:
- Nomination: Students who have shown leadership qualities in their study units and achieved consistent academic results can be nominated to become a student mentor by an APL/ADL.
- Invitation: After completing three units, two teaching periods and receiving consistent academic results, students are invited to apply to become mentors.
Once the applications are received, a team of academics, student advisors, and our academic integrity team will review them to ensure the suitability of candidates before they receive online training.
Who Can Access Our Student Mentor Program?
Feration University Online currently offer its Student Mentor Program to students of the following courses:
Eligible students have the opportunity to register for the mentorship program in Week -1 and Week 1 of their first and second trimesters.
How Can Federation University Online’s Student Mentor Program Benefit You?
Setting Federation University Online apart from other universities, our Student Mentor Program is designed to provide support for first-year students through useful tips, impactful guidance and daily motivation. Having a student mentor to turn to means that you’ll have access to the following:
Academic Guidance
With a deeper understanding of the academic requirements and related pressures, student mentors are able to provide helpful academic support throughout your first year. From study tips to unpacking course material, they provide essential guidance that will improve your academic performance.
Orientation Know-How
Student mentors have been in your position as a first-year student and have built their own arsenal of tips and tricks to navigate online studying. It is their role to help you navigate the adjustment to online learning, the digital classrooms, and Federation University Online’s systems.
Emotional Support
Relatability is at the heart of our Student Mentor Program – because no one ‘gets it’ like our student mentors. Whether giving encouragement or lending a listening ear during a stressful academic time, our student mentors are there to offer you emotional support.
“I can take [students] under my wing and provide that support and connection that they might not get elsewhere,” assures Chloe Greenwood. “Just provide them with really warm and supportive, encouraging words when they first start [online studying].”
Get the Study Support You Need From a Student Mentor
As a new student, being able to access the know-how of someone with lived experience of the challenges of online studying is invaluable. With a rigorous vetting process and so many benefits, gaining support from a student mentor is the obvious next step to take in your study journey.
If you’re interested in studying at Federation University Online, get in touch with our Course Consultants to talk about your options or apply here.
