Hundreds of students new to university life are getting the support they need through the SIGN and new SIGNPOST mentoring programs.

Since 2001, the Student Information and Guidance Network (SIGN) has teamed new students with later-year student mentors who act as guides to university life. Dr Margareta Olsson, SIGN coordinator, said the mentors make new students aware of services around the University that will help them academically, socially and in every other way.
 
While graduate students have participated on a limited scale in the past, this year is the first that graduate mentors have been trained specifically.  The new program, named SIGNPOST, has been tailored to meet graduate student needs. 

"We want them to be aware of centrally provided services such as those provided by the Research Office, Statistical Consulting Unit, Graduate Teaching Program, Graduate Information Literacy Program and, of course, PARSA," Margareta said. "Mentors also assist new graduates in linking up with networks and services in their respective Colleges."

The original program was initially designed to facilitate a smooth transition from secondary school for new students, and help integrate them into university life. And anecdotal evidence suggests that participation in the program has a positive effect on academic performance.

Mentors are rewarded for their efforts with training in communication skills and other counseling techniques as well as social events. "What the mentors do touches so many new students and we hope that makes their transition a lot easier," Margareta said.

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