Subject-based Student Mentoring at VU
Aims and Benefits

Subject-based student mentoring aims to:

promote students' understanding of specific subjects

aid student retention

aid student transition

support subject staff to develop their subjects

improve students' grades

The scheme enables staff to :

• obtain timely feedback on issues and concepts students are finding difficult
• reward students for their commitment to the program
• work closely with later year students

Benefits for student participants include:

• receiving support for their academic work
• learning collaboratively rather than alone
• increasing their sense of belonging to the university

Benefits for student mentors include:

• development of communication and leadership skills (key Core Graduate Attributes)
• receiving academic credit for their participation
• consolidation of previous learning in the course
• building stronger relationships with staff (a key element in increasing students' belonging to the institution).