Peer Networking Programs

Make friends, have fun, stay to the end!

What’s it all about?

Students who connect with other students and become involved in campus activities not only enjoy their time at uni, they are also more likely to complete their degrees successfully.

Starting at uni can be exciting but also a bit daunting, even for confident students. Just learning how to be a uni student takes time and effort in the first few weeks. Finding your way around campus, learning uni jargon and what the expectations are, meeting other first year students and knowing who to go to for help can be overwhelming if you feel you are alone.

Having an experienced student to help you find your feet and navigate this new territory can make the difference between giving up or staying and succeeding. That’s what peer networking is all about… helping you to make connections that will make the transition easier and more enjoyable!

How does it work?

Each new student who registers for a networking program will be allocated an experienced student (mentor). Your mentor will keep in contact with you for either the first term or the whole of the first semester by email, sms and face to face contact.  Your mentor will:

• answer your questions
• give you tips about how to settle into study and campus life
• help connect you with other people in your course
• remind you of relevant social and academic activities

Your mentor will also be mentoring a few other new students.  At the first peer networking activity day, you will spend some time with those students and your mentor, as well as participating in larger group activities.

Over the past couple of years, the University of Adelaide has established networking programs in an increasing number of Faculties/Schools/Disciplines. Some networking programs require students to register prior to the start of the academic year.  They hold their first event in the week leading up to Orientation Week. To find out if your Faculty/School/Discipline is running a networking program and when registrations close, click here.

Peer networking is not the only way to get connected and gain assistance in transitioning successfully into uni life. For information about other activities and events check the First-Year Students’ web site.