When students begin their journey at Trinity, one of the first institutions they come across is the Student-2-Student Programme. Newcomers who are, understandably, anxious about their new arrival have their nerves eased by the welcoming presence of their S2S mentors and various other measures of support provided by the S2S programme. Time and time again, it has proven to be a valuable resource to Trinity students, providing them with a variety of tools to support their well-being.
It is no surprise, then, that many first-year students excitedly sign up to be S2S mentors in their second year. After being welcomed by their own S2S mentors, they want to return the favour and pay it forward by doing the same for the new batch of incoming students. The problem, however, arises when these once-excited mentees slowly lose sight of their original purpose, as their initial fervour is forgotten and replaced with disinterest. Although thankfully this is not a common occurrence, it is not unheard of.
“During my first year at Trinity, I would often hear some of my classmates discussing their S2S groups”
During my first year at Trinity, I would often hear some of my classmates discussing their S2S groups. While some would happily report that their mentors were engaging with them, sending meme-filled emails and organising online meet-ups (yes, this is me casually reminding everyone that my first year at university was during the lockdown), others were not as thrilled. Although their mentors started strong, doing the same things as other mentors and actively participating in the programme, over time things changed. Their emails kept decreasing, both in length and in frequency, until eventually they were few and scarce. This gradual change in S2S mentors’ involvement can happen as they get distracted by their other commitments, be it assignments, jobs, or their social life. Given that the S2S programme is run on a voluntary basis, it can be challenging to resolve this issue.
Indeed, this was confirmed by Emma Coyle, a head mentor for S2S. Originally an English Studies student, Coyle became a mentor in her second year of college and loved it so much she decided to become a head mentor for the chance to have a more active role. When asked about her favourite things about the programme, she explained that her “favourite thing as a head mentor would probably be seeing the creativity of the mentors”. She went on to add that, although being a mentor is a “voluntary role, so many people put a lot of effort into sending fun emails and planning really unique events”. Naturally, the engagement level can vary year by year, but the head mentor praised this year’s batch of mentors. She commends their “overwhelming amount of effort”, even joking that she “gets jealous of their emails every week”.
“Coyle also highlights some of the more challenging aspects of the programme, mentioning mentors who receive little-to-no replies from their first-year students”
When asked about the tendency of some mentors to lose interest in participating, Coyle mentioned that she “definitely [has] seen mentors start to get disinterested throughout the year”. She explained that this is “unfortunately just a normal outcome for any volunteer role”, as “mentors can become busy in college and neglect their role as the year goes on.” Coyle also highlights some of the more challenging aspects of the programme, mentioning mentors who receive little-to-no replies from their first-year students. Admittedly, first year can be an awkward time, especially for students who are acclimating to the new environment and “are too shy to go to meetups or email their mentor for help”. This lack of response can be discouraging for mentors who entered this programme “excited to plan fun events and emails”. Beyond that, the workload can be heavier than expected, making it easier to “push it to the side when other things get in the way, especially if you feel like you’re emailing into the void”.
Thankfully, however, Coyle confirms that “most mentors are dedicated to the role from start to finish”. After acknowledging the difficulties that can be involved with the role, she advises mentors to just stay in contact: “Even if your mentees aren’t actively engaging, I can assure you there are still students silently engaging by reading your emails every week and taking your advice.” The role of an S2S mentor is a huge responsibility, yes, but one that is more than worth it for the sake of first-years who are eased into university life with the help of their mentors. Having such support “can be a real comfort for first-years who are new to Trinity and to Dublin, to have a student give tips and tricks they wouldn’t know otherwise”. She also recommends having fun with the process, being creative in your emails and meet ups, and not letting it “feel like a job”. Finally, Coyle advises mentees to engage with the programme as much as they can, citing their own experiences and how they can be useful for first-years: “It might seem like a waste of time but your mentor is willing to help and has been exactly where you are, so their advice will be so valuable.”
