A new online mentoring programme to help students prepare for university

The online mentoring charity Brightside has responded to the urgent challenge of COVID-19 by designing and launching a new online mentoring programme to support the current generation of Year 13 students who are facing unprecedented hurdles in their transition to university.

Brightside has mobilised a coalition of nine higher education institutions and Uni Connect consortia in a national programme, which will support students in their network of schools and colleges throughout England.

Brightside:- Prepare for HE is a new programme designed to support Year 13 students and other university offer-holders as they navigate this unique and complex series of challenges, following the cancellation of their exams and implications for their university places.

Launching today, the 16-week programme will support students to transition successfully to university and will:-

– motivate students to retain their university places through increased preparedness and reduced disruption

– increase students’ confidence and excitement about their future university life

– deliver trustworthy, organised and personalised support and reassurance to students, helping them to navigate the challenges of unexpected developments and uncertainty

– offer students continuity and effective transition, in the outcome of a ‘closed campus’ scenario in September

– maintain an adaptable and flexible approach, to suit an evolving landscape and the specific and imminent needs of individual mentees

Mentees will:

– develop their coping skills and be able to deal with setbacks and overcome challenges

– build a sense of belonging and feel nurtured

– be able to understand and tap into the support networks available to them

– maintain their motivation for their chosen subject and institution

– feel prepared for changes in learning styles at university

– increase their understanding of what to expect from university study and life

– become empowered to make confident and informed decisions

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said:

“I know this is a difficult and uncertain time for those who want to go to university this autumn, but no student’s future should be put on hold because of the coronavirus.

“I’m delighted to see the Brightside mentoring programme supporting young people as they transition to university in these unusual circumstances. This help and reassurance will be invaluable to these students empowering them to make the best decisions.”

Y13 students in Greater Manchester can find out more and sign up here: gmhigher.ac.uk/events/prepare-for-he

This article is taken from Brightside’s Press Release – 1 June 2020

spotlight Events & Activities

A new online mentoring programme to help students prepare for university

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Exam Workshop 1 – Revision Skills Y11

This inspiring and practical workshop outlines how to prepare for revision and highlights successful revision techniques. Learners have the opportunity via activities to consider and apply productive revision strategies. They will: reflect on their learning environment; identify five top revision hacks; and recognise the importance of effective revision as a life-long skill. All resources/handouts are provided by GM Higher. Ideally, this would be booked as the first in three exam workshops for Y11. It is also a standalone workshop. Workshop Details: Year group: 11 Group size: one class at a time Length: 45-60 mins Delivery method: In-person is preferable, but virtual delivery can also be arranged and streamed into multiple classrooms if this is the only way it fits into the timetable. GM Higher will need to record the participation of learners in line with our funding requirements, so we will ask you to provide a register.

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Date available on request

On request

In school

Exam Workshop 2 – Exam Success Y11

This informative workshop enables learners to approach exams in the best way possible. Learners take part in activities so they know how to fully prepare for exams. They will: apply the growth and fixed mindset; plan time management in exams; and design a revision timetable. Ideally, this would be booked as the second in three exam workshops for Y11. It is also a standalone workshop. Workshop Details: Year group: 11 Group size: one class at a time Length: 45-60 mins Delivery method: In-person is preferable, but virtual delivery can also be arranged and streamed into multiple classrooms if this is the only way it fits into the timetable. GM Higher will need to record the participation of learners in line with our funding requirements, so we will ask you to provide a register.

General IAG

Date available on request

On request

In school

Exam Workshop 3 – Maintaining Motivation for Exams Y11

This motivational workshop helps learners to stay positive in the lead-up to their exams. Learners participate in activities so they can fulfil their potential. They will: identify stresses that pull them down and stresses that drive them forward; use good stress to motivate themselves; and create a motivation plan to take away. Ideally, this would be booked as the third in three exam workshops for Y11. It would work particularly well around mock exam results. It is also a standalone workshop. Workshop Details: Year group: 11 Group size: one class at a time Length: 45-60 mins Delivery method: In-person is preferable, but virtual delivery can also be arranged and streamed into multiple classrooms if this is the only way it fits into the timetable. GM Higher will need to record the participation of learners in line with our funding requirements, so we will ask you to provide a register.