Powerful peer connections

The Science Mentor Program provides platform for peer-to-peer connections at the Faculty of Science

Katie Willis - 17 February 2017

For undergraduate students Zahra Nikakhtari and Fajr Khaliqdina the Science Mentor Program has been an incredible volunteer experience. Inspired by the experience of being mentored by Nikakhtari in her first year, Khaliqdina has now become a mentor herself. And one of the best things to come out of her time as a mentee was a close friendship with her mentor, Nikakhtari.

The Science Mentor Program at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Science is designed to support undergraduate students in their first year of studies. From sharing experiences about courses and study tips to navigating campus together, the Science Mentorship Program sets students up for success--both as mentees and mentors.

For Fajr Khaliqdina (left) and Zahra Nikakhtari (right) the Science Mentor Program has been a powerful part of their undergraduate experience.

Tell us about your experiences in the Science Mentor Program.

Nikakhtari: The experience of being a senior mentor is one I will never forget. I have made valuable connections and built strong relationships with my senior mentor groups, junior mentor groups, and my mentees. During my first year in the program, I had the opportunity to mentor Fajr--a first year biological science student at the time. We learned a lot from each other and supported one another during times when university was stressful. I encouraged Fajr to apply to become a mentor because I knew she would make a valuable contributions as a mentor herself.

Khaliqdina: My experience as a mentee was great. Mentees had the opportunity to choose our own mentor that we felt connected most to us--in my case, that was Zahra. This helped me build a one-to-one relationship with my mentor, which eased my transition from high school to university.

Why did you get involved in the mentorship program?

Nikakhtari: I applied to be a senior mentor when I was in my second year, mainly because I wished I had a science mentor of my own in my first year. I was eager to share my knowledge and experiences with other mentors and mentees to help them avoid some of the pitfalls I came across in my first couple of years.

Khaliqdina: I got involved as a mentee in the Science Mentor Program to ensure that there was someone I could go to for help. Your first year can be quite a challenging year to get through. The Science Mentorship Program and my mentor Zahra provided me with all the resources that I needed to assure that there weren't any gaps in my abilities. I decided to become a mentor because I was very grateful to and inspired by the program. In addition to supporting me through my transition, Zahra was knowledgeable, compassionate, approachable and most importantly she treated me as a friend. Getting all this from this program, I felt that I had to give back in some way and what better than to become part of it than as a mentor?

How has the mentorship program supported you in your time at the University of Alberta?

Nikakhtari: Being a mentor for the past two years has helped me grow as a person. Through the program, I have been continuously provided with the chance to enhance my understanding of leadership, mentorship, and the importance of building strong connections with my peers, especially during tough times.

Khaliqdina: The mentorship program made me aware of different support services available on campus and how I can use them to my benefit. Along with that, I learned many practical things, like how to use eClass, Beartracks, and other academic resources.

What advice would you give to incoming science students?

Nikakhtari: Take advantage of all the support our Faculty offers. Frankly, university can be frustrating, challenging and unpredictable. But it can also provide the utmost personal satisfaction when you reach the goals you were striving for and connect with people from all walks of life. Explore all your interests, whether it is trying new courses, new sports, or even travelling abroad. This is your chance.

Khaliqdina: Not only does this program allow first-year science students to become comfortable with the university environment, but it also provides them with an opportunity to be an active participant at university by getting involved in different ways. I would definitely recommend this program for anyone who is considering to pursue their education in Bachelor of Science as personally, I have gained a lot from this program.

Interested in volunteering? Want to find a mentor? Find out more on the Student Mentor Program page.