The PSA Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program is now accepting applications for the Winter 2023 semester! 

If you are a new psychology student who is looking for guidance, an upper-years psychology student looking to help and guide others, or a psychology student looking to connect with new people, then this program has a place for you. The Winter 2023 program will pair one mentor with one mentee for the duration of the Winter semester, allowing for a supportive one-on-one relationship to be cultivated. The PSA will host exclusive Peer-to-Peer activities throughout the semester to bring together everyone in the program, including a brunch with Psychology professors, a workshop or training event, and a service-focused event in the community.

Before registering, consider if you’d like to participate as a mentee or a mentor. Although every individual is different, and every mentor-mentee pair will be unique, there are general themes to consider regarding the roles:

As a mentee, you will drive the relationship forward by communicating with your mentor about the skills, knowledge, and goals you’d like to achieve. You can participate in planning meetings and activities with your mentor, seeking resources, bringing up ideas, and providing feedback. An engaged mentee can take advantage of the opportunity to learn by working together with their mentor and looking for ways to create a mutually beneficial relationship by giving back through sharing information, ideas, and time together. 

As a mentor, you will provide the guidance and support to your mentee that fits their individual wants and needs. You might share from your own experiences, give advice, share ideas and information, provide feedback, actively listen, act as a sounding board, or provide personal support if appropriate. You might discuss school and career choices, share opportunities, identify resources, advocate for your mentee, or expand your mentee’s network of contacts.

Regardless of whether you participate as a mentee or mentor, all participants will be responsible for contributing to the relationship with respect. Each mentor-mentee pair will decide for themselves the particulars of their relationship, including how often and where they meet, what they discuss and share, how formal or casual their relationship is, and what boundaries feel appropriate. The relationship you create will be a product of the time and effort you both collaboratively invest in it.

Important Orientation Details:
Mentors and mentees are required to meet in person at a mandatory orientation event on January 23, 2023 from 7:00-8:30pm on-campus University of Regina, with a specific location to be determined. A speed-dating style method will be used to allow everyone a chance to briefly meet with each other one-on-one, and matching pairs together will be a result of the ranked preferences all participants submit at the event. The orientation and matching event are mandatory to participate in the program, and will occur only once. If you are not present, you will not be matched to someone in the Winter 2023 program and will be invited to participate in the Fall 2023 iteration. If you cannot participate this semester, the PSA offers you many other events and opportunities for growth, support, and connection.

In addition to matching mentor and mentee pairs together, orientation will include an outline of the program, suggestions and best practices for mentors and mentees, a review of ethical norms and responsibilities that will include your signing a code of conduct, and information about options for workshop and training events. The event will be followed by a trivia night open to all PSA members, and mentors and mentees are invited to stay and participate.