School of Pharmacy celebrates big win at Student Mentor Awards

It was a night of great pride when students from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences scooped two awards at Cardiff University’s Student Mentor Celebration Evening.

Fourth year MPharm student Reeya Patani was awarded Outstanding Contribution to the Student Mentor Scheme, and Student Mentor of the Year 2017-18 for the School of Pharmacy went to Samuel Watkins.

The Student Mentor Scheme helps new students transition into University life. It matches first year students (mentees) to current undergraduate students from the same School and they meet on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues such as new ways of studying, settling into accommodation, budgeting, module choices, and working on assignments, essays and exams.

It enables first year students to ask questions which are not covered in the course handbook and gives them the opportunity to get reliable and relevant advice from their peers. They also get to know other people on their course a lot better.

The Student Mentor Celebration Evening recognises the commitment and contribution that Student Mentors make to the University and their peers.

‘It was a proud moment for me as I felt that my contribution to the scheme was recognised and appreciated. Through this scheme, I felt pleased that I was able to give something back to Cardiff University. I started out as a mentor, then progressed to a mentor consultant and finally became lead mentor consultant. I loved all three years of being involved, as the warm and friendly atmosphere amongst the mentoring staff made this whole experience thoroughly enjoyable. I feel students should take up the opportunity to be a part of this amazing scheme as it is rewarding. It not only develops you as a person but allows one to gain essential skills that are transferable.'

Professor Mark Gumbleton, Head of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences said ‘We are incredibly proud of our student mentors and the way in which they support first year students when they first arrive.  It’s a reciprocal relationship where the Mentees get the guidance they need from their peers and the Mentors learn a range of new skills that will inevitably help them in the future.  It’s a fantastic scheme that we are proud to support.’

As part of the evening, Cardiff School of Pharmacy student Kalika Puri was a guest speaker, having been awarded Overall Mentor of the Year last year.

Discover more about what Samuel and Kalika think about studying at Cardiff university’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcjret64A1A&t=3s