Latest student news
Apply for coaching or academic mentoring for the spring term
By: Melinda Lowing
Last updated: Thursday, 4 January 2024
Students work with their coaches to overcome barriers and blocks
Applications are now open for coaching and academic mentoring in the spring term. This is your opportunity to access one-to-one support with someone who can help you with challenges you may be experiencing. Sessions are online, meaning you can access them wherever you are, without needing to travel to a location on campus.
Which programme should I apply for?
Coaching and academic mentoring are two separate programmes, so make sure you choose to apply for the one that will help you the most.
Coaching can support with:
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a sense of isolation or feeling like you don’t belong
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low self-esteem or personal challenges which may be creating emotional burn-out or stress
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organisation or time-management skills
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self-doubt based on stigmas associated with resits or repeating a year
Academic mentoring can support with:
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improving your academic skills
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developing your academic confidence
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having a role model who can provide practical advice about studying at university
What can I expect from my chosen programme?
If you are selected for coaching, you’ll have the opportunity to attend six online one-to-one sessions working with a professional coach, enabling a safe space for you to discuss things like how to:
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set meaningful and achievable goals
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explore possible solutions for any challenges you’re facing
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work through personal barriers
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create action plans for achieving personal success
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build resilience.
If you are selected for academic mentoring, you will attend six online sessions. You’ll be matched with an academic mentor (PhD or Masters tutor) who will help you to:
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reflect on your current challenges
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set meaningful and achievable goals
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develop a range of academic study skills
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learn subject-specific study strategies
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create a plan for future development
Who can apply?
Anyone on a taught degree at Sussex can apply, but due to the way they are funded, we are particularly keen to support students from our target groups, as follows:
For coaching, we especially want to support home undergraduate students who:
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are from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds; or
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are from a postcode area with social challenges or low progression to higher education (view postcodes classed as deciles 1 and 2 in the Index of Multiple Deprivation on the CDRC Mapmaker); or
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are eligible for care leaver support at Sussex.
If this isn’t you, you can still apply for the Coaching Programme if you think it might help you. Please note that students who are currently receiving, or about to receive, mentoring support through the Disabled Students’ Allowance, counselling, or support for a diagnosed mental health condition, are not able to apply for coaching, to avoid it clashing with this support.
For academic mentoring, we especially want to support students from the groups mentioned above. In addition, we will prioritise students who are resitting exams or retaking a year.
How do I apply?
To apply for coaching, complete the online application form before the closing date of Sunday 21 January 2024.
To apply for academic mentoring, complete the online application form before the closing date of Sunday 28 January 2024.
Remember you should only apply for the programme that you feel will be of most benefit to you.
How do I find out more?
For more information about the Coaching Programme, see the Coaching Programme webpage.
For more information about academic mentoring, see the Student Engagement and Enhancement webpage.