Starting university can be daunting for everyone, but even more so for mature-age students who have family commitments.

This was certainly the case for first year, mature-age student, Victoria Daniels who says if it wasn’t for her student mentor, second-year student Melissa Chedzey, she may not have adjusted to university life as well as she has.

Victoria said it definitely helped to know that Melissa was also a mother and that they faced similar family and study commitments. Victoria and Melissa are both mothers of young children and are studying nursing at Central Queensland University in Rockhampton.

“Melissa has been a fantastic and approachable mentor. All of her advice during orientation week and since has been extremely helpful,” Victoria explained.

“I especially learnt a lot from Melissa’s library, data base and journal tips.

“I thought going to the library was much like going to the dentist, but Melissa made it a lot easier and helped me get over my fears.” Melissa also benefited from having a mentor during her first year at university.

“I had a great mentor, and I thought by becoming a mentor I could pay back the help I had received,” Melissa said.

“My mentees have also been a big support to me. They keep me motivated.” Melissa’s commitment to her mentees and CQU’s Student Mentor and Leadership program has earned her a Mentor of the Year nomination.

CQU Student Services are currently seeking like-minded students who are willing to give something back to the program which helped them through their first year at university.

About 300 on-campus and external student mentors will be required in 2007 to help new external students and those on CQU’s regional campuses.

First Year Experience Coordinator Olive Mallory said there is a lot to learn in the first few weeks of starting at university and CQU has found that student mentors can really help new students adjust quickly.

More than 90% of all on-campus students at CQU’s regional campuses and over 600 distance education students were linked with a student mentor in 2006.

Students wanting to become student mentors in 2007 can contact Olive Mallory on 4930 9691.