Mentorship programmes: A vital part of student success

Academic setbacks can be an inevitable part of any educational journey for many students, particularly in higher education. Whether it’s a failed exam, a missed deadline or a struggle to adjust to a new curriculum, these challenges can be discouraging.

However, mentors can make a significant difference in helping students navigate these hurdles, turning potential challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience instead.

Mentorship in higher education institutions is not a new concept, nor is it restricted to a single country. Across the globe, from the United Kingdom to the United States, Australia and beyond, mentorship programmes have been recognised as a vital component in supporting student success.

These programmes are designed to offer students personalised guidance, emotional support and practical strategies to overcome academic difficulties. By fostering a strong mentor-mentee relationship, institutions can help students build the resilience needed to bounce back from setbacks and achieve long-term academic success.

Understanding the mentor’s role

Mentors in higher education juggle many roles. They are advisors, cheerleaders, sounding boards and sometimes even life coaches. Their primary role is to provide students with the tools they need to navigate the often-turbulent waters of academia.

This support can take many forms, including academic guidance, personal encouragement and career advice. The goal is to empower students to become independent learners who are capable of overcoming challenges on their own.

A key aspect of mentorship is the personalised attention that mentors can offer. Unlike lecturers who address large groups of students, mentors work closely with individuals, getting to know their strengths, weaknesses and unique challenges.

This individualised approach allows mentors to tailor their advice and strategies to meet the specific needs of each student, making their support more effective.

For example, a student struggling with time management might benefit from a mentor’s advice on how to prioritise tasks and create a study schedule. Another student who has failed an exam may need encouragement and reassurance that one setback does not define their entire academic journey.

In both cases, the mentor’s role is to provide the guidance and support necessary to help the student recover and move forward.

Building resilience

Resilience is also a key factor in academic success. Mentorship plays a critical role in building this resilience. When students face academic setbacks, their first reaction is often to feel discouraged or even consider giving up.

A mentor can help shift this mindset by encouraging students to view setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures.

Mentors can also share their own experiences of overcoming challenges, providing a sense of perspective that can be incredibly valuable for students. Knowing that someone else has faced similar difficulties and emerged stronger can be a powerful motivator.

Additionally, mentors can help students develop problem-solving skills, teaching them how to approach challenges in a constructive way.

For instance, if a student is struggling with a particular subject, a mentor might suggest alternative study methods, recommend resources or even arrange tutoring sessions. By actively engaging in the problem-solving process, students learn to take control of their academic journey, becoming more resilient in the face of future challenges.

Long-term success

The impact of mentorship extends beyond the immediate recovery from academic setbacks. The skills and strategies that students develop through mentorship can serve them throughout their academic careers and beyond.

Mentors help students build a foundation of self-confidence, critical thinking and independence, which are essential for long-term success.

Moreover, the relationship between a mentor and mentee can evolve over time, becoming a source of ongoing support as students progress through their studies. This continued relationship can be particularly beneficial during transitional periods, such as moving from undergraduate to postgraduate studies or entering the workforce.

Mentors can offer advice on how to navigate these transitions, ensuring that students remain on track and continue to succeed.

In some cases, mentorship can even extend beyond graduation, with mentors providing career guidance and professional networking opportunities. This ongoing support can be invaluable as students face new challenges in the professional world, further highlighting the long-term benefits of a strong mentor-mentee relationship.

Global perspectives

While the principles of mentorship are universal, the way mentorship programmes are implemented can vary across different countries and institutions.

In the UK, for example, mentorship programmes are often integrated into university support services, with mentors being either faculty members or trained peer mentors. These programmes are designed to be accessible to all students, with a particular focus on supporting those who are struggling academically or personally.

In the United States, mentorship is also a key component of student support services, with many institutions offering formalised programmes that pair students with mentors based on their academic interests or career goals.

Similarly, in Australia, mentorship is seen as an essential part of the student experience, with programmes that cater to both domestic and international students.

Despite these differences in implementation, the core purpose of mentorship remains the same: to provide students with the support they need to overcome challenges and achieve success.

Preparation for the future

Academic setbacks are a natural part of the learning process, but they do not have to derail a student’s educational journey. With the support of a mentor, students can learn to overcome these challenges, build resilience, and ultimately achieve their academic and professional goals.

As higher education institutions continue to recognise the importance of mentorship, these programmes will play an increasingly vital role in fostering student success, not just in the UK, but around the world.

By investing in mentorship, institutions are not only helping students recover from setbacks but also preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Salman Haq is head of access and participation, and marketing at the Oxford Business College (OBC), UK. The college has 7000+ students from diverse backgrounds, orientations, and cultures and has expanded from one campus in Oxford to four cities, numerous campuses and partnerships with multiple UK higher education institutions including the University of West London, Ravensbourne University London, Buckinghamshire New University, and New College Durham. In 2022, OBC became the first independent business school in the UK to be a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS).

This article is a commentary. Commentary articles are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of University World News.