Personal background
My name is Fern and I am a PhD student in High Energy Physics at University College London and CERN (Geneva, Switzerland). I wanted to become a mentor for young people from refugee backgrounds to help nurture the drive these individuals clearly have. They are overcoming such complex personal circumstances, all whilst ensuring education remains a high priority in their lives. Anything I can do to help with this is a real privilege.
Joining Bridging the Future
A colleague of mine informed me about the programme. He’s involved in the programme as a trustee, has known me for several years and thought I’d be a great fit for a mentoring role. I was motivated to join after learning about how Bridging the Future formed, has grown, and what it aims to do.
Online mentoring experience
My approach to mentoring is firstly to create a safe environment. I want my students to feel that every question they have is a valid one, and that they are listened to and respected. I then like to spend time getting to know my students, whether that’s their background, hobbies or academic passions — whatever they’re comfortable talking about!
Once we have a nice dynamic, I will continue to support them both pastorally and academically. I had a student that had a lot of personal circumstances to overcome during their time with me, and would often feel overwhelmed juggling everything with their studies. Together we came up with a plan for their studying, including regular lessons covering class content and examination material, as well as creating bespoke unseen tests for them. We made sure to never go too long without contact to keep the momentum high.
Programme impact
I hope my student goes on to have a wonderful time as an undergraduate physics student. They have clear passions within the field, and I want to see this nurtured over the degree. I feel this programme put them in the best possible position to decide what they want to study, as well as insight into university life and what it may look like for them.
Personal growth as a mentor
It’s certainly opened my eyes to the struggles people can face, and the sheer levels of drive and passion required to pursue educational passions whilst balancing some of the most trying circumstances possible. In terms of skills, being a mentor in this programme has taught me how to adapt. Sometimes anticipated timelines completely change, and it’s important the mentee is offered support navigating these changes with minimal disruption. I’d say this is a personal skill that has been enhanced, for sure.
It reminds me to be grateful. I have a fantastic family around me and was raised in a stable environment. It’s easy to take this, something I’ve had since I was born, for granted. When I form close working relationships with others who have overcome things I never used to even think about, it resonates with me.
Advice to future mentors
Try and find a regular slot, that stays fixed, to get together with your mentee. Establishing a routine will be useful for both parties, and ensures the momentum keeps going. It’s easy for work and personal life to get in the way, but this programme is important and really does change lives. So allocating it a dedicated time for your headspace is really useful.
