Mature student buddying scheme

Our mature student buddying scheme aims to help new mature students settle into university life and make the most of their time here. The scheme matches new first year students with second or third year ‘buddies’ so mature students can get support with the transition into student life at Sheffield Hallam.

 

The scheme is voluntary and designed to fit flexibly around your availability and preferences. Full training is provided and is compulsory for both new students and buddies. All new students and buddies who complete the programme will receive a certificate of achievement.

How does it work?

Our buddying scheme is ‘student led’, so wherever possible, matches will be made according to an individual’s preferences. You might like to be matched with someone on the same course or faculty as you or you might prefer to meet with someone in a similar personal situation, e.g. with someone who is balancing study with family commitments. The matching is done by the Buddy Scheme Co-ordinators who will try as much as possible to take your preferences into account.

It’s also up to you how you choose to contact your buddy, how often you choose to meet and what you decide to discuss. We will provide training and some suggestions for how to make the most of your buddying relationship, but then it’s over to you.

What do buddies do?

Here are some of the things buddies can provide new students with support on:

  • Finding services on campus
  • Making friends and getting involved with student life
  • Understanding University processes
  • Dealing with the ‘culture shock’ of a new environment
  • Shopping and budgeting
  • Finding out about transport and getting about the city
  • Finding things to do and places of interest in Sheffield
  • Achieving a good life/study balance
  • How to approach coursework, exams and revision

Buddies are not

  • Specialist advisers –  if you require more specific advice, then your buddy can point you in the direction of one of Sheffield Hallam’s many student support services
  • Academic tutors – your buddy cannot give you specific guidance on your work. However, they can share their experiences, give you advice on preparing for exams and tell you what to expect from future years of study
How can I join the scheme?

You can apply to be a buddy by following this link and filling out the form on unihub. If you’re a new mature student and you would like to me matched with a 2nd or 3rd year student, you can apply here.

Please contact transitions@shu.ac.uk if you have any questions.

FAQs for buddies

Why should I become a buddy?

Buddying is a great way to meet new people, develop skills and gain valuable experience for your CV.

What is expected of me as a buddy?

All second and third year buddies must attend a training session before being matched with a new student. You will also be expected take the initiative and contact your buddy to arrange a first meeting. Once you start meeting we would like you to keep a brief record of your contact with your buddy and come prepared to talk to us about this at our evaluation and celebration event which will be held in December.

How many buddies will I have?

All second and third year buddies must commit to being matched with 1 new student; however you could be matched to more than this.

Will my buddy be from my course or department?

The purpose of the buddying scheme is to help new students settle into university life, which we feel any student from any course can help someone with. The matching is based on a new student’s preferences so you might be matched with someone on the same course or faculty as you or you might be matched with someone in a similar personal situation, i.e. someone balancing study with family commitments.

When will I know who my buddy is?

We will email you in September once we have made the buddy matches.

What do I do when I know who my buddy is?

Phone or email them to introduce yourself and arrange an initial meeting. They will have been sent your details so will know who you are. Tell them a bit about living in Sheffield and offer to answer their questions. It´s really up to you…think what YOU wanted to know at this stage.

What happens after I first contact my buddy?

Arrange to meet up with your buddy in the first two weeks of term, if possible. 

Where should I meet my buddy?

Make sure you meet in a public place at first until you get to know your buddy. You could try one of the social spaces in the libraries, a catering outlet on campus or a local café.

How many times should I meet with my buddy?

We suggest you contact your buddy 4 times between September and the end of November. However, it’s really up to you and your buddy how often you meet. It could be good to have meetings in a group with another buddy and their students if you can arrange it. That way, your buddy will get more opportunities to meet with other new students.

Is the buddying scheme confidential?

Yes, your buddying relationship is a confidential one, although we will ask for some generic feedback at the end of the scheme. You will be given training covering confidentiality and the support which is available from University staff if there are any issues.

Am I expected to become a real friend for my buddy?

No. The buddy relationship is a semi-professional one. You might not get on that well on a personal basis but can still maintain the buddying role. However, you may find that your buddy pairing leads to a friendship at the end of the scheme.

FAQs for new students

Who are the buddies?

Buddies are second or third year students who have volunteered to join the scheme and who have received training from the University.

What is expected of me as a participant?

It’s up to you to decide how you prefer to contact your buddy, how often you choose to meet and what you decide to discuss. Out of courtesy you should also keep in touch with your buddy, let them know if you can’t make a meeting or if you wish to stop the buddying relationship at any time.

Will my buddy be in the same department?

The purpose of the buddying scheme is to help you settle into university life. We expect most of the initial questions you might have could be answered by any mature student from any course. However, the matching will be ‘student led’ so you can state a preference to be matched with someone on the same course or faculty as you or you might prefer to be matched with someone in a similar personal situation, i.e. someone balancing study with family commitments.

How will my buddy get in touch with me?

They will either contact you by email or give you a call to arrange to meet you.

Will the buddying be a one-to-one arrangement?

It’s up to you and your buddy to decide. Your buddy may suggest meeting in a group with another buddy pairing rather than one to one. This would be an opportunity for you to get to know other first year mature students. However, you can request only one to one meetings with your buddy should you wish. After an initial meeting, you may prefer to simply communicate via email or by phone when necessary. It’s completely up to you and your buddy to agree the frequency of meetings and/or method of contact.

Where will the buddy meetings take place?

Normally in a public area convenient to both you and your buddy. A coffee shop or one of the social spaces in the library are examples of the type of places most often used for meetings.

How long does the scheme last?

We suggest that you make contact with your buddy around 4 times before the end of November, but how soon you do this and whether you want to keep meeting them is up to you. Buddies usually have the most contact during the first weeks of term, so if you decide you want to finish your buddy relationship before the end of November you can do so at any time.

Is the buddying scheme confidential?

Yes, your buddying relationship is a confidential one, although we will ask for some generic feedback at the end of the scheme. You will be given training covering confidentiality and the support which is available from University staff if there are any issues.

When will I know who my buddy is?

Our aim is to enable you to have contact with your buddy within two weeks of your starting University.

What do I do if I don´t get on with my buddy?

You can be allocated a different buddy or you can withdraw from the scheme. This will be confidential. You just need to e-mail transitions@shu.ac.uk

Feedback from our students

SLS-85-Advice-InformationHere are some thoughts and comments from students who took part in the scheme last year:

“I have had my first meeting with my buddy. She was lovely.  Really helpful.  It was great to talk to someone in the same situation as me, i.e. the only mature student on the course.  We have arranged another meeting in a few weeks.” New Student.

“[My buddy] and I had a good first meet. She made me very welcome and reassured me that I could contact her any time if I had queries/ concerns.” New Student.

“I have met up with [my buddy] and we chatted for nearly hour about student life. I have been corresponding with [my buddy] after our initial meeting.  He has taken me up on some of my suggestions to integrate with uni life, we have a planned meeting (face-face)” Mature Student Buddy.

“…I was able to meet with my buddy & it was a good experience for the both of us. My buddy felt he took a lot from our meeting and was happy he had decided to be part of the scheme.” Mature Student Buddy.