^{Starting university is exciting, but it can also be confusing, overwhelming, and full of questions. How do you organise your time when nobody is checking whether you have done your readings? What do lecturers actually expect from an academic assignment? How do you prepare for different types of assessments? What do you do when group work becomes difficult? And perhaps most importantly, how do you find your place in a new academic community?}

To help first year students with some of their questions, difficulties and concerns, Maaike and Hieke (study advisors for the Global Responsibility & Leadership programme and the Data Science & Society programme, respectively) are launching a Student Mentor Programme for bachelor students at Campus Frslân.

The idea at the core of this programme is that sometimes the people who can best help you understand university life are the students who have already gone through it themselves. Therefore, throughout the first two teaching blocks, first year students will be part of a small mentor group made up of around ten to twelve students from their own programme. Each group will be guided by a mentor from a higher year who can share advice from their own experience.

The mentor groups will meet biweekly and each meeting will focus on a different theme connected to student life and academic development. Topics may include time management, working in groups, presentation skills, preparing for exams, making use of university systems, using AI responsibly in an academic setting, reflecting on your progress throughout the semester, and finding a healthy balance between studying and extracurricular activities.

One of the goals of the programme is to make support more visible and accessible/convenient. Not every student feels comfortable approaching lecturers, programme directors, or university services with a question. Mentors can help answer questions, share experiences, and point students towards the right support services when needed. So the idea is that, with this programme, students can have an additional connection point between students, their study programme, and the faculty (and/or its support systems).

Campus Fryslân is an international and diverse learning environment, which brings many opportunities as well as challenges. Students arrive from many different educational systems, cultural backgrounds, and geographical locations. Because of this, the programme will also include workshops and sessions on topics such as intercultural awareness and active bystander skills, helping students learn from one another while building a stronger understanding of the community they are entering.

The mentors themselves will receive training and ongoing supervision by specialised staff. They will learn about professional conduct, integrity, and the responsible handling of personal (sensitive) information. They will also have regular meetings throughout the semester to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and continue developing their mentoring skills.

While mentor programmes already exist in several other faculties across the University of Groningen, this will be the first time Campus Fryslân introduces a programme of its own. The initiative has been made possible through university funding dedicated to student wellbeing and student support, with the aim of helping students build the strongest possible foundation for their academic journey.

We look forward to welcoming our first mentor groups and seeing the programme become part of the Campus Fryslân experience.