Role Requirements

Role Requirements

In order to be a Student Buddy:

• You need to be on track to have completed at least one year of undergraduate study by July 2021 and be confident that you will still be studying at the University of York (either as an undergraduate or postgraduate) in the 2021/22 academic year. 

• You will need to complete the compulsory Student Buddy training. The online training module needs completing between Week 5 and Week 8 of the Summer term, You will also be required to attend a live one hour training session via Zoom on either 15th, 17th or 22nd June 2021. 

• In addition to the time spent completing the training (see above) you will need to be committed to spending approximately 2 - 5 hours per week supporting the students you are matched with between 6th September - 3rd December 2021.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

As a Student Buddy, using the knowledge and skills gained from the training, you will be asked to:

• Signpost new students to appropriate sources of information and support.
• Be available to meet with new students either individually or in a group. These meetings could take place either online or in person. 
• Try your best to relate to what your students are experiencing and be willing to share your own experiences. 
• Encourage new students to make the most of opportunities to get involved in University life and develop their own support networks
• Be aware of some of the challenges and issues around transition to university facing students from different backgrounds. 
• Stay in touch with a small group of students from a few weeks before the start of the academic year (week commencing 6th September) until the end of the Autumn term (3rd December) 
• Be aware of confidentiality and safeguarding requirements.

Training and Support

Training and Support

Buddies will need to complete a compulsory online training module (expected to take 2-3 hours) between Week 5 and Week 8 of the Summer term. This training will cover a range of issues which buddies could be faced with.  In addition to the online training new buddies will also be required to attend a one hour live training session (delivered via Zoom) on either 15th, 17th or 22nd June 2021. 

Each Student Buddy will have the support of an experienced Lead Buddy as well as the central Student Buddying team.  

Benefits

Benefits

As well as the satisfaction you will feel from helping new students settle into life and study at York, you will also 

• Meet and get to know other students from across the University. 
• Find out more about the University including support and opportunities available to all students. 
• Have the flexibility to carry out this voluntary role around any other commitments you have.

In addition, Student Buddies develop and practice many transferable skills that enhance their employability prospects. These include skills in: 

• Decision making
• Verbal communication
• Written communication
• Problem solving
• Time management
• Using your initiative

Visit our Your employability skills webpage for more information about skills and how to deliver them. 

For help in presenting your skills and experiences in job or course applications visit the CVs and applications webpage.  

The skills you develop as a Student Buddy can contribute towards your York Award and York Futures Scholarship applications. 

Applying

Applying

We have now fiished recruiting Student Buddies for the 2021/22 academic year. 

We will be recruiting again at the start of the Summer Term 2022. 

For further information about being a Student Buddy please email student-buddy@york.ac.uk.

Lead Student Buddy

Lead Student Buddy

Being a Lead Student Buddy is an opportunity for experienced Buddies to take on additional responsibilities whilst continuing to support new students. 

As well as helping new undergraduates adjust to university life, Lead Student Buddies will also support their fellow Student Buddies, passing on tips they've picked up through their Buddy experience to date. 

Role Requirements

In order to be able to apply for the voluntary role of Lead student Buddy you need to:

• Have been a Student Buddy at the University of York.
• Be studying at the University of York (either as an undergraduate or postgraduate) in the 2021/22 academic year. 
• Be a confident communicator and happy to work closely with University staff as well as other Student Buddies and new students. 
• Be committed to being a Lead Student Buddy.

Lead Student Buddies will need to be able to commit 5-8 hours per week to this role between 1st September - 3rd December 2021. 

Responsibilities

In addition to all the Student Buddy responsibilities, Lead Student Buddies will: 

• Support a team of Student Buddies from 1st September - 3rd December 2021 by being their first point of contact for any questions or concerns. 
• Liaise between their team of Student Buddies and the Student Buddying Scheme Co-ordinator and Administrator. 
• Set up a group chat and encourage their team of buddies to use this to share good practice and voice any concerns. 
• Remind their group of Buddies to be in regular contact with their students and suggest timely questions/ topics for the Buddies to focus on. 
• Attend at least one of the live training sessions for new Buddies (taking place via Zoom on 15th, 17th and 22nd June) and be happy to talk about your experience of being a Buddy and answer any questions. 
• Regularly check in individually with their team of Buddies to make sure each Buddy is happy with how things are going.

Training and Support

Lead Buddies don’t need to repeat the Student Buddy training. However, they will need to attend a compulsory hour long training session specifically for Lead Student Buddies on either Monday 7th or Thursday 10th June. This will take place online.

The central Student Buddying team is always available to help and support the Lead Student Buddies.

Benefits

Alongside the the benefits of being a Student Buddy, Lead Student Buddies will also develop skills in:

• Teamwork
• Leadership
• People Management

Applying

We have now finished recruiting Lead Student Buddies for the 2021/22 academic year. 

We will be recruiting again at the start of the Summer Term 2022. 

For further information about being a Lead Student Buddy please email student-buddy@york.ac.uk.

Testimonials

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it, read what these Buddies told us about their experiences of being involved in the Student Buddying Scheme. 

Nicola, Natural Sciences

I absolutely loved being a student buddy during my second year. I learnt so much during my first year from those in second and third year and this was my chance to give back. The chance to get to know and support students from other departments was immensely rewarding as I could see their confidence growing from one email to the next. I have developed existing skills and learnt many new ones during my time as a student buddy such as active listening and communication that will be invaluable as I move forward with my time at university and beyond.

Réiltín, English and Related Literature

As a first-generation student from Northern Ireland, when I started university I had no idea what to expect. This made me decide to become a Student Buddy, I wanted to use my knowledge and experiences to help people who were like me starting university. 

Being a buddy is genuinely so rewarding and you can really see the impact and help you’ve had on people: even by just answering a few questions or some encouraging words can have such a big impact on that first scary term of University. My communication and time management skills have really improved and I enjoyed the experience so much. I would definitely encourage anyone interested to become a buddy!

Sophie, Psychology

I know first hand some of the struggles that came with starting university including the culture shock, not knowing many people to begin with and not being sure of what to expect from student life.

This scheme gave me so much reassurance and confidence in my ability to make the most of the university experience. It allows you to improve your communication skills and meet amazing people along with it.

Ashleigh, Health Sciences

As a student nurse I see lots of different people all the time and since being a buddy I feel I am more approachable and can bond better with my patients. I have been able to put this on my CV which has made me stand out when applying for jobs.

Being a buddy I have learnt lots of new skills. Talking to people you have never met and sharing your experiences is quite nerve wracking and takes a lot of courage, through being a buddy I have been able to master this skill which makes it easier talking to new people.