STaR Mentors

STaR (Student Transitions at Reading-Malaysia) Mentors are current students that have been trained to help new students settle in to University. Having recently been through the same experience, a UoRM STaR mentor understands how a new student may be feeling and can guide them through their start at University of Reading Malaysia.

UoRM STaR mentors are: 

  • Friendly 
  • Welcoming 
  • Good listener 
  • Empathetic 
  • Non-judgmental 
  • Positive role model

UoRM STaR mentors can: 

  • Share their own experiences of starting University and prepare new students for what to expect
  • Answer questions and point new students in the direction of helpful University services 
  • Show new students around their department and/or the campus 
  • Recommend places of interest in Reading and/or the surrounding area 
  • Promote tips on achieving a positive work/ life balance 
  • Help new students make sense of University processes and adjust to new academic learning styles
  • Connect new students with clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities 
  • Link new students to finding part time work and careers advice

UoRM STaR mentors will: 

  • Before Welcome Week: contact new student by email to welcome them and put them at ease before starting at UoRM 
  • During Welcome Week: arrange to meet new student in person on campus during Welcome Week
  • Throughout the First Term: be contactable by email or available to meet in person for helpful tips and advice

How can new student benefit from a UoRM STaR Mentor?

New student will be automatically partnered with a UoRM STaR mentor to ensure they start at UoRM is successful.

Want to be a UoRM STaR Mentor?

The UoRM STaR Mentor Programme is seeking current students to become STaR Mentors and help new students with the transition to UoRM.

In your role as UoRM STaR mentor, you will:

  • Mentor between 6-8 new students (mentees)
  • Contact your mentees before they arrive at University by email, and help prepare them for what to expect
  • Meet your mentees in person on campus during Welcome Week
  • Be contactable by email or available to meet in person throughout the first term of 2016/2017 for helpful tips and advice
  • Commit around 1-2 hours a week to mentoring

Mentoring is a fantastic way to consolidate and develop your professional skills whilst ‘giving back’ to the University.

The rewards include:

  • Gaining volunteer experience
  • Providing future employers with evidence of time management, leadership, communication and management skills
  • Understanding how different people see the world around them
  • Building your confidence and self esteem
  • Positively contributing to the University community
  • Evidence for the RED award and will be on your degree transcript when you graduate

The Role

  • Establish a successful mentoring relationship with between 6-8 new students (mentees) 
  • Contact your mentees before they arrive at University by email, and help prepare them for what to expect 
  • Meet your mentees in person on campus during Welcome Week 
  • Be contactable by email and available to meet in person throughout the first term for helpful tips and advice 
  • Attend mentor and mentee events hosted by the University and in your department/ school 
  • Be committed, present and available to commit around 1-2 hours a week to mentoring
  • Be positive about the University and willing to share your experiences as a student

STaR Mentor Coordinator:

Asmahani Shafie – a.btshafie@reading.edu.my