Kirsty, Mentor
I enjoy mentoring students because I love learning and getting to know about students’ different degrees and their topics. I also learn about different interests and hobbies and am kept up to date on new bands, books and TV shoes! Most of all I enjoy building relationships with students, seeing how they progress throughout the year and supporting them with this.
Rhiannon, Student
I had received outstanding support from my mentor throughout my entire education at University. Every session I felt like I was listened to no matter the situation, and great advice and support was always received in return. It was thanks to this support that I grew increasingly confident in myself, enabling me to achieve my undergraduate course. Mentoring helped me to realise that it was okay to feel vulnerable sometimes, and that any issue I had was worth listening to. I recommend!
Rebecca, Student
I'm autistic and found having a mentor really helpful on my PGDE journey. My mentor had also done the PGDE and was knowledgeable in autism so I felt understood on all levels and it was a great match.
It was reassuring to have a consistent person to talk things through with each week. My mentor was kind, supportive and accommodating. Since I don't live in Glasgow, my mentor did our sessions over Teams and was flexible with times too
Iain, Mentor
Being a mentor is never boring, sometimes emotional, sometimes challenging, and always fulfilling. The students and I learn together how to build the best support for them, and I've been told the sessions are invaluable throughout the year. Being autistic myself, I really value the opportunity to help those in my community.
Student at Glasgow University
Meeting with my NAS mentor once a week has been crucial in terms of providing stability and routine to the often turbulent and hectic University going experience. It's so helpful having someone that will let me think out loud and vent at them for an hour. My mentor always actively listens and then easily plucks out the crux of whatever I've just said. Having an outside perspective on my week really helps me to sort out my thoughts and think about what actions I need to take next. It's also nice to have someone to help me with reflecting on why I'm feeling or experiencing certain things and not only time management/planning/structuring study plans.
Julie, Mentor
Mentoring students is valuable, but not just for the students who you work with to support them to overcome their challenges, but for the mentor. I have found my experience to be very rewarding. Not only do the students pique my interest and enhance my understanding of a wide range of subject disciplines, but they give me insights into their differing lives and responses to situations, which helps me develop my practice and find ways to help which are specific to each individual.
I enjoy learning about each student’s unique strengths but also identifying their difficulties and working with them to resolve these. It is really heartening to see students progress, develop confidence and self-reliance and accompany them on that journey. The NAS student support team comprises a great bunch of people who are full of ideas and strategies. All round, mentoring is a very fulfilling role!
Student at Glasgow University
These sessions were an essential lifeline for my university experience. With tangible advice and support, I felt anchored academically and emotionally in a system which is not designed for, and continues to let down, neurodivergent students. I loved that mentoring was student-led and therefore the flexible sessions empowered me to complete miscellaneous tasks each week. From email writing, calendar organising, essay planning, and general encouragement, I left each session feeling refreshed and ready to take on the next step independently
Arthur, Mentor
Supporting students throughout their university journey through the NAS Student Support Service, from those just starting their studies to those nearing graduation, is something I value greatly. I enjoy helping students navigate not only the challenges associated with autism, but also related areas such as mental health, organisation, routines, and the wider factors that can affect their university experience. Seeing students gain confidence, develop practical strategies, and achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding. It’s a role that allows me to make a genuine difference while learning from the unique experiences and perspectives of the students I support.
Student Mentor
My role as a student specialist mentor is truly one of the most fulfilling roles I've worked. It's been a wonderful privilege getting to know my students and seeing grow in their confidence and skills. Every day is different, it can be focused, funny, and emotional - all within the same session!
While I show different strategies and skills students can use while navigating university life, I don't think they realise how much I learn from them too.
Even though we work 1-to-1 with students, I'm never truly alone with a lovely team of mentors and our student co-ordinator, who is incredibly supportive”
Rachel, Mentor
I have found working as a student mentor incredibly fulfilling. As an autistic person myself, who struggled throughout university, it means a lot to me to be able to support autistic students going through similar experiences.
Róisín, Mentor
Mentoring for NAS has been a fantastic experience. I have been able to help so many students with managing their emotional and mental wellbeing around both university and their personal lives. This has been incredibly rewarding as I see and hear the positive impact I can have within my role.
Contact us
Moya Flynn
Student Support Coordinator
Email: studentsupport.scotland@nas.org.uk;
Tel: 07513709695.