Peer Assisted Learning “Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) is a student-to-student support scheme for academic and personal development.” What is the Peer Mentoring Programme? Essentially, the Peer Mentoring programme involves second and third year students volunteering to be trained as student mentors. Once trained, the mentor is then linked up to a small number of first year students (typically 3-5). The role of the Peer Mentor is to offer practical help and advice to new students, and to act as a referral point as appropriate to other services/contacts. How Peer Mentoring works in Practice Peer Mentors receive general training on a range of issues with which they could be faced. The training will include topics such as ‘to whom can mentors turn for help?. Mentors are not expected to take the place of professional staff. There will always be someone available to help and support the mentors. The trained peer mentors meet with their ‘first year mentees’ initially as a group, and then on a one-to-one basis, but the peer mentoring relationship lasts only as long as the first year student feels it is helpful. There is no set time commitment – typically peer mentors might meet their first year students once every two weeks for the first semester. This may or may not continue into the second semester. The meeting does not have to be formal – a 15-minute chat over a cup of coffee may be all that is needed.

Features of PAL PAL facilitators do not teach. They facilitate the support sessions through discussions and interaction. Student PAL leaders receive training as facilitators PAL support can be offered to particular modules or particular topics within modules PAL convenor can ask module controllers which topics students are struggling with, and/or ask students the same question Helpful to timetable the PAL sessions Programmes in Chemistry, Management School, Engineering

Benefits of PAL to student participants Helping the adjustment to the teaching and learning system in higher education Gaining a better understanding of course concepts Getting a clear view of course expectations Enhancing study habits Building confidence Opening up communication with higher year students

Benefits of being a PAL session Leader Developing leadership and communications skills Improving employability skills, enhancing C.V. Gaining confidence Revising their subject in order to obtain a deeper understanding of it Obtaining a certification of recognition The satisfaction gained by helping a fellow student and making a difference to their time at university