The transformation from high school to college or university poses huge academic and social adjustment difficulties to students. This is due to the much bigger and more complex environments that you are exposed to. The academic demands on students at university are far greater than the challenges they faced in high school (Simpson, 2004:11).
The growing diversity of higher education participants presents continuing challenges to the transition of first-year students (Peat et al., 2000; Whittaker, 2008 in Fox, 2010:1).
It is the policy of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) to enable its students to form and maintain one-on-one or group mentoring relationships for academic or personal support with a primary focus on well-being and academic success.
Mentorship means a process between individuals of different levels and expertise, which incorporates interpersonal or psychological development, educational career development and socialisation functions into the relations.
Mentor means any student who has been trained to give guidance and direction to a mentee to facilitate that mentee’s academic, personal and/or future career development.
Student Mentors are trained and skilled in academic topics, social-emotional and specific types of mentoring like career, disability and peer buddy mentor.