Third week activities

This week's topic is one of the most appreciated themes for freshman students: "studying & preparing for classes" in general. As a peer-mentor and an upper year student you know how much of academic survival depends on adequate preparation and good study routines.

Please, Talk to your mentee about the this week's special (members' only) fun team building event (Sept 23th, Friday) between 6 pm and 9 pm, organized by the office of peer-mentoring program.It is important for the mentee to be there, if COVID situation permits it, to build a network around him/herself by getting to know other first and upper year students in the program. This event is fun! Food and drinks are provided, while the team building program elements are provided by a professional team-building company for your entertainment.

 By now your own adaptation (academic) skills have been proven by and large. Please, share your thoughts and pratices with your mentee about the type of studying Univet students also do (as you look around) to keep up with class assignments/materials. Briefly discuss student-organizations, services, opportunities that are available to first year students on-campus for getting tutored or getting help if needed. If you do not have enough time to cover all of the following specific topics or you see that there is someting of a particular interest to your mentee please, make a commitment to return to the topic next time. Consider the following sub-topics:

1.) What format Univet students usually study for classes (share what you see around yourself) talk about good practices. Feel free to share stories about your own adjustment in regard to changes you have made in your own studying habits after transitioning from secondary school to medical school. Self-exploring questions: what new learning skills have you adapted? Who do you discuss class assignments? How do you proepare for classes?

2.) The practices how students usually take class notes. For example how to get good class notes (from upper year students) or other materials (supplementary books, websites etc.) along with talking about what would be considered good subject notes (how good note-taking can be learned)

3.) Peer to peer tutoring (if needed) how it works in practice at the UNI (how to find a tutor on-campus, how students prepare and study in general)Please, mention study group and study-buddy finding alternatives. Most and foremost we would ask you to share your own experiences about studying in groups (or with a study-buddy for a class or for an exam - include advantages/disadvantages of such practice.) Let him/her also visit a brand new on-campus initiative: study-group and study-buddy finder service

Link to explore:
  • GTD - five steps to organize oneself
  • Why it is better to take notes by pen than by using your laptop
  • Freenoting

    • Fun activity ideas for the week:
     We invite you to have a scavenger hunt for class notes together. You can compare specific class notes with your mentee on a specific topic from a first year subject in the 3rd week. Try to pick an old note that is clear and well done and ask your buddy to bring hers along the very same topic, then compare the two. Help him/her to identify the differences pro/con. If there are a few tricks you use - share it.

    Mental framing for mentors - a deeper understanding of third week.