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How to Become a Peer Mentor at DBS

Interested in becoming a Peer Mentor at DBS? Here’s how you can get involved! To become a Peer Mentor, you’ll need to attend a two-day training workshop that prepares you to support your fellow students. This training provides the knowledge and skills necessary to guide mentees effectively. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to participate in various events organized by the Student Services Team, where you can share your DBS journey and experiences. While you can choose events that suit your schedule, we encourage continuous engagement throughout the term.

Discover the DBS Peer Mentor Programme

Starting college is exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. The DBS Peer Mentor Programme, run by the Student Experience Team, is here to help. This student-led initiative connects new students (mentees) with experienced mentors who offer guidance, support, and a friendly face throughout the year, from orientation in September until the end of the term. The programme makes DBS a more welcoming and connected community for everyone.

Benefits of Being a Mentee

As a mentee, you’ll enjoy several benefits, including:

• Guidance & Support: Receive help navigating academic resources, finding support services, and settling into college life.

• Social Connections: Participate in meetups and events that help you make new friends and feel part of the DBS community.

• Confidence Boost: Gain reassurance and answers to any questions or concerns you may have as you adjust to college life.

Benefits of Being a Mentor

As a mentor, you’ll gain valuable experience and skills, including:

• Leadership Development: Enhance your leadership, communication, and organizational abilities.

• Personal Growth: Build meaningful relationships with your mentees while giving back to the DBS community.

• Resume Building: Showcase your involvement in mentorship, which is a great addition to your CV.

How Does It Work?

This year, we have around 35 peer mentors who are divided into two main areas: programme-based and regional (by nation). Before the academic year starts, our mentors receive comprehensive training and ongoing support, ensuring they’re well-prepared to assist you.

The Peer Mentor Programme has been a huge success in previous years, helping countless students feel at home at DBS. We’re confident that this year’s mentors will do the same by creating a supportive and connected community.

Aims of the DBS Peer Mentor Programme:

• Encourage Social Engagement: Get involved in activities and make new friends.

• Navigate Academic Resources: Learn about the various supports available to you at DBS, including Student Services, Careers, SESU, and more.

• Develop Study Skills: Mentors can help you prepare for your studies by connecting you with resources like SESU and the First Year Librarian.

• Address Concerns: Whether you have small questions or bigger worries, your mentor is there to listen and assist.

• Improve the First-Year Experience: By creating connections and providing support, the programme enhances the overall quality of your first year.

• Skill Development for Mentors: The programme also helps mentors develop important skills like communication, organization, and leadership.

What is the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Scheme?

In addition to the Peer Mentor Programme, the PAL scheme provides another layer of support. This student-to-student network connects new students with current students who share similar courses or cultural backgrounds. PAL sessions are designed to ease your transition into college by offering advice and creating connections that make your DBS experience even better.

Get Involved!

For more information or to join the programme, visit the Student Helpdesk on your student dashboard or follow @dbs.peermentors on Instagram for tips, updates, and more.

Welcome to DBS—where support, friendship, and success await!

The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL)

Our PAL scheme is a student to student support network, where senior students help support new students as they travel through the first phases of their college experience within DBS. These PAL sessions are designed to help students make a smooth transition to college life. It is hoped that by getting advice from senior students, they will be better prepared for the demands of college life. This programme also provides opportunity for students to get to know others in their course and get advice from senior students, who have gone through similar programmes themselves.  We have provided each of our mentors with extensive training on communication, boundaries and life skills, which we hope will be passed forward to the new students.

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For more information please contact

vp@mydbs.ie

student.services@dbs.ie