Meet our students and hear their inspiring CityBuddy stories. Discover how the peer mentoring scheme helps build a support system, opens doors to new opportunities and boosts academic success.
Starting university is an exciting time but it can also be daunting for new students. Adjusting to new surroundings, making friends and balancing academic work with student life can be challenging.
For current students, becoming a mentor is a rewarding way to gain experience, develop leadership skills, and make a positive impact on new students' lives. Course Buddies also offer paid work opportunities.
Course Buddies are second or third-year undergraduates in the same course who mentor new students in their first term. They guide students, showcase all that City St George's has to offer, and provide valuable insights into their studies.
Meet five students who share their inspiring journeys:
Sabrina Abdow (BSc, International Political Economy) is inspiring students to make the most out of university.
"Course Buddies provided me with a sense of belonging, eased my transition into university life, and offered extremely valuable insights into navigating campus resources and my course curriculum.
"Supporting my mentee has been immensely rewarding. I've been able to offer advice with assignments, interview preparation, and direct her towards career and support resources at City St George's. One notable achievement was helping her elevate her grades within two months and with interview prep for a global leadership summer programme in Vietnam.
"The Course Buddies scheme has significantly contributed to my personal and academic achievements, including my nomination for City St George’s academic impact awards for community impact."
Sabrina recently graduated and was named a finalist in the 2024 Sky Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year Awards, recognising her impact as a mentor and her work breaking down barriers to higher education through widening participation.
Isobel Lawler (LLB, Law) empowers students and boosts employability.
"Having my own mentor has made me realise the impact I could have on someone’s academic career. I was inspired to help others navigate their own paths and share my experiences,
"I have felt fulfilled by positively impacting someone else’s journey. This experience has enabled me to self-reflect and consider what I would have liked to know in first year. I have supported others by striving to be a good role model and giving the best advice possible.
"It has been a key talking point with potential employers, who value my participation in this scheme as a position of responsibility and are impressed by its impact on me and other students.
"I have learned how important it is to be reliable and trustworthy when someone relies on you for advice. Being in this position is truly rewarding and has developed my leadership skills. It is key to be empathetic and have excellent communication skills."
Isobel shares a highlight: "When my mentee actively sought me out for advice, I felt very pleased knowing my knowledge and experience could help someone feel more confident."
Ashton Shepherd (BSc, International & Political Economy) leads by example and shares opportunities.
"I felt like it was a good opportunity for myself considering that when I first came to uni, I didn't know about Course Buddies. I wanted to help and influence the life of a first-year student in ways I wish I had known about.
"I've gained friends and a greater understanding of my course because to teach something, you have to know it well. It pushes me to work harder on my course.
"Mentees benefit by having someone they can always go to for academic and campus life support. They can ask any questions or queries they might have. Mentoring is about looking out for someone and giving advice in a way they can understand. I've gained soft skills like communication and leadership."
For new students, Ashton says, "Definitely be quick to sign up. It gives you someone you can instantly go to if you need help and helps build friendships from the start. As a mentor, you develop career skills, building up experience and enhance your CV."
Khadiza (LLB, Law) is making connections and building confidence.
"After a positive experience with a Course Buddies mentor in my first year, I was keen to share my experience by becoming a mentor myself.
"I’ve learned so much in the past two years that I wish I knew in my first year, like mastering note-taking, reading techniques, networking, and capitalising on employability opportunities. I’ve adjusted to living in a new city, flatmate life, budgeting, and balancing studying with socialising.
"Being a Course Buddies mentor has allowed me to hone transferable skills including communication, active listening, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and building trust. All of these are central to an aspiring career in Law.
"I have developed genuine friendships from the Course Buddies scheme. Mentoring has boosted my confidence in communicating and giving advice, reinforced by positive feedback from my mentees.
"I loved meeting my mentees for the first time! We clicked instantly, and it was easier to chat and answer queries in person. Another highlight was working as a Course Buddy leader during freshers’ week."
For students considering becoming a mentor: "You’ll make a good friend and have insightful conversations. You can also become a Course Buddy leader, a paid opportunity to promote the scheme on campus."
Georga Burnett (BSc, International Political Economy) is thriving as a first-year mentee.
"I have felt more at ease during my journey in university knowing that there is someone willing to advise me and offer both academic and personal support.
"Never be afraid to ask your mentor questions, whether or not you think they are 'silly.' Your mentors are there to help and guide you, so soak up all the knowledge given to you!"
A memorable moment was when mentor, Sabrina Abdow, helped Georga gain a new opportunity.
"Sabrina was very supportive and encouraging during the application process for the Global Leadership Award early this year, and we were both very pleased that I had received an offer with her guidance.
"The Course Buddies scheme has highlighted the importance of having a strong support network. After taking advice from Sabrina, I have been able to secure consistent 2:1s and 1s in my first year.
"Being in a new environment can be very daunting at times but with the Course Buddies Scheme, you can find your feet and navigate your way through university smoothly. I urge first-year students who may feel overwhelmed to join the Course Buddies Scheme."
Have you got a success story that you're proud of? We would love to hear.
Share it with us so it can get the recognition it deserves. You can also use the #WeAreCityStGeorges hashtag when posting your journey on social media.