Peer Mentoring – Do’s and Don’ts – peermentoring inpractice

A list compiled by current peer mentors…

Do’s

make mentees feel welcome
be positive
keep information confidential
always listen (active listening)
keep eye contact
make mentees feel comfortable
be prepared
take the lead
offer support and guidance
try to understand
be encouraging
reflect on own experience/behaviour
show respect
develop a rapport
talk
be open minded (incl. open body language)
be patient
be helpful
offer constructive criticism
establish clear boundaries
develop trust
be proactive
value mentees’ opinions and beliefs
value diversity
take what mentees say seriously
encourage mentees to talk about any concerns and/or aspirations they might have
talk about any relevant experiences and problems you have overcome (without taking the focus away from your mentees)
share study skills tips
refer to specialist services where appropriate
attend all meetings (and if you are unable to attend, inform all relevant people)
report any unacceptable behaviour
discuss any concerns/problems you might have with the module leader

Don’ts

don’t judge
no negativity
leave before the mentees
make it too personal
become too attached
be late
be rude
cross boundaries
ignore
neglect
intimidate
be aggressive
speak over mentees
‘’closed’’ body language
do their work for them
give false info
act as a counsellor/therapist (there are other people trained in these roles)
take responsibility for your mentee’s problems and feel you have to solve them
‘’friend’’ your mentees (but be friendly!)
give mentees too much personal information (e.g. give private phone number and/or address to mentees and/or encourage them to contact you at home or outside the university environment)
involve your mentees in your own personal issues
gossip about mentees (in general, information should be kept confidential)
encourage mentees to plagiarise (or commit any other academic offence)
accept physical and/or verbal abuse in sessions
keep secrets
let the mentor role interfere too much with your own studies and commitments

peermentoring inpractice