Summary and Outstanding Awards of 2012

Faculty/School-basedPeer Mentoring Programme

Buildin

g a

c

aring

and connected campu

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2012

Published by Student Affairs OfficeThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityJanuary 2013

Copyright © The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission in writing from the Student Affairs Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

I am most delighted to see that the Faculty/School-based Peer Mentoring Programme (PMP) has grown bigger each year with the participation of many senior students and freshmen. With double-cohort intake this year, we are particularly grateful to the support of over 500 peer mentors, serving over 800 freshmen throughout the first semester.

The Peer Mentoring Programme is organized each year. It begins with the pre-term Common Orientation Programme and carries through the whole semester one. The aim is to build up the connections between freshmen and senior students under the same department/faculty/school in order to promote students’ success. The programme also develops students’ team work and communication skills; supports freshmen’s transition to university; and instills a caring spirit on campus.

The role of peer mentors is very important because they not only share their university learning experiences, but also their personal ups and downs with freshmen. I am sure your help and support are highly appreciated by the mentees.

I would also like to congratulate all the freshmen who have joined this meaningful programme. ‘A good beginning is half way through to successes’. If you can settle in well in the first year, you will sail through the rest of your university years comfortably.

Last but not least, I would also like to thank colleagues in the faculties and the Student Affairs Office for their good work. Well done.

Finally, I wish to see further collaboration between different people to continue with our love and care in the PolyU family and make the programme even bigger and better in the years to come.

Preface

Winnie LeeSection Head (Student Development)Student Affairs Office

Contents

Summary and Outstanding Awards of 2012 Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles Faculty of Business Faculty of Construction and Environment Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Humanities Faculty of Health and Social Sciences School of Hotel and Tourism Management

On the Way of Caring - Learn from Challenges and Master the Art of Caring Understanding the Meaning of the Programme Believe in Our Worth Never Give Up Enjoy the Challenge and Gain from the Challenge Neither “NO” nor “YES” Pay Attention to the Changing Concerns Enter Mentees’ World A Good Leader Sincerity and Active Participation Sense of Belonging Group Work Language is NOT a Barrier Care with HEART AND SOUL and Gain Appreciation Serving Heart - from Campus to Society, from Now to the Future

On the Way of Receiving Care – We are Grateful for Having YOU Lost and Found An Excellent Tour Guide to University Life We are ONE Family Help and Care Problems? No Problem! Nobody, but You

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Summary andOutstanding Awards of 2012 Outstanding Awards of 2012

FAST

FB FHFCE

FENG

FHSS

SD SHTM

Summary and Outstanding Awards of 2012

Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles (FAST)

Summary of

FAST PMP

in 2012

This year, there were 20 peer mentors joining our FAST PMP. They were from ITC, AP, ABCT and AMA.

Peer mentors shared openly in the two workshops: “Be a good time manager to study @PolyU” and “Tips on how to kick away stress in studies”. Freshmen really enjoyed the

sharing from peer mentors and meanwhile they got some concrete survival studying skills from their seniors. The workshop seemed to be very meaningful to both peer mentors and mentees as they could benefit from each other and establish a closer friendship.

Moreover, peer mentors also conveyed their caring message each month from August to December by means of all electronic media, for example through Facebook, Whatapps and SMS. They arranged different activities like hiking, frequent lunch and dinner gatherings within and outside of campus that allowed mentors and mentees to chitchat at canteens whenever they were free.

Sharon TO, FAST Liaison Counsellor

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OutstandingPeer Mentor

OutstandingMentee

OutstandingTeam

Outstanding Awards

• CHOI Chun Chi (ITC)• FUNG Ho Yi (ITC)• GU Fangyuan (AP)• LEUNG Ginny (ITC)

• CHAN Ka Tung (ITC)• CHOI Suet Wai (ITC)• FUNG Hiu Kwan (ITC)• LI Cheng (ITC)• LIU Jin (AP)

• GU Fangyuan (AP)• LEUNG Ginny (ITC)• LI Cheng (ITC)• LIU du (AMA)• LIU Jin (AP)• XU Bing (AMA)• ZHAO Shi (AMA)

• CHAN Hio Ieng Stella (ITC)• CHAN Ka Tung (ITC)• CHAN Ka Yee (ITC)• CHOI Chun Chi (ITC)• CHOI Suet Wai (ITC)• FUNG Ho Yi (ITC)• FUNG Hiu Kwan (ITC)

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Faculty of Business (FB)

Summary of

FB PMP

in 2012

The Faculty/School based Peer Mentoring Programme, organized with collaboration from the Student Affairs Office (SAO) and the Faculty of Business (FB), is tailor-made for all freshmen of FB. In connection with the FB Student Mentorship Programme, more than 200 senior students are recruited to be our peer mentors and peer mentor coordinators, providing support to freshmen through

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individual care and team activities during the first semester. In AY 2012-2013, all freshmen are divided into 74 groups according to their programme studied. There are 38 groups from the School of Accounting and Finance, 18 groups from the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, 14 groups from the Department of Management and Marketing and 4 groups from the Faculty of Business. All peer mentors and peer mentor coordinators have received train-ing with great enthusiasm and worked closely with the FB Liaison Counsellor and the Faculty of Business. Our primary concern is whether freshmen could have a smooth transition in their first year and if they could make an effective study and career plan in the coming 3 to 4 years.

Thanks to the efforts of peer mentors, freshmen had a smooth transition in the first three weeks. In order to build up good relationship, all peer mentors actively liaised with our freshmen before the start of the new term. They gave welcoming calls and follow-up emails to freshmen prior to the arrival of non-local students. Peer mentors were dedicated to support our freshmen in different ways. Peer mentors firstly welcomed all freshmen in the Common Orientation Programme of the Faculty of Business on 7 September, 2012. With an aim to support freshmen, peer mentors enthusiastically contacted freshmen through personal contacts and group activities; shared study tips, exchange and internship experiences; and introduced various student socie-ties. Moreover, peer mentors and peer mentor co-ordinators strengthened their self- understanding, self-confidence and developed their communica-tion skills, team building skills and problem-solving skills. Overall, peer men-tors and peer mentor coordinators have achieved personal growth through caring for freshmen.

The programme is beneficial to all participants. With the support of faculty, we’ve successfully cultivated a caring and supportive learning environment. My heartfelt thanks to all freshmen, peer mentors, peer mentor coordinators and staff for your continuous support which contributes to the success of the programme.

Cynthia CHENG, FB Liaison Counsellor

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Outstanding Awards


OutstandingPeer MentorCoordinator

OutstandingMentee


Faculty of Business (FB)

• BAI Xiaoting (AF)• LAU Cheong Man (LMS)• WANG Hao (AF)• WONG Kam Yin (AF)

• CHAN Ka Yee (MM)• CHAN Yuk Yu (LMS)• CHOW Shek Yin (AF)• GAN Lin (AF) • HON Pak Ka (AF)• KWOK Yim Wai (AF)• LIANG Junlin (AF)• LIAO Tsz Kwan (MM)• MA Chui Ying (LMS)• NG Man Yee (AF)• WONG Yu Hin (MM)• YAU Tsz Ho (MM)

• CHEN V Chunn (AF)• CHU Lai Ning (MM) • DENG Wenjia (AF)• LAM Ka Yeung (FB)• LEUNG Sau Ching (LMS)• LI Jiaheng (AF)

• LIU Po Kei (AF)• NG Lai Ming (MM)• NG So Sum (MM)• WANG Kaixuan (AF)• WANG Ke (AF)• WONG Chi Ho (FB)

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OutstandingTeam AF03

• CHAN Sze Ki (AF)• CHAN Wun Ling (AF)• CHONG Chui Man (AF)• CHOW Chun Ting John (AF)• KWAN Ho Yee (AF)• LAU Cheuk Wa (AF)• LAW Lai Ping (AF)• LEUNG Sai Leuk (AF) • LIU Po Kei (AF)• NG Man Yee (AF)• TSE Sin Tung (AF)• WONG Lai In (AF)• WONG Sek Hei (AF)• YEE Ka Ling (AF)

LMS16• CHAN Man Yi (LMS)• CHAN Wai Leung (LMS)• CHOW Cheuk Hay (LMS)• CHUNG Kam Ling (LMS)• FONG Sin Man (LMS)• FUNG Chi Hei (LMS)• LAM Hoi Yan (LMS)• LAM Shan Shan (LMS)• LEE Yin Fan (LMS)• LEUNG Sau Ching(LMS)• MA Hang Yu (LMS)• NG Man Man (LMS)• WONG Hoi Yan (LMS)• WONG Ka Wing (LMS)

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Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE)

Summary of

FCE PMP

in 2012

committed action-oriented responsible empathetic

This year, around 60 FCE participants registered to be Peer Mentor (PM) and Peer Mentor Coordinator (PMC). They have started their services since July 2012, half of the number attended the 1st PM meeting to learn the keys to programme planning. Mentors started to organize and devise the activities at Welcoming Night held in September. A 14-person Welcoming Night Committee was formed finally to make this night happen. Throughout the summer, this working group worked hard on prepar-ing the programme. Over 140 freshmen and PM had joined this big function, their feedbacks were positive, especially the games and activities which did arouse freshmen’s interest in FCE studies as well as PolyU life.

FCE PMs are

Nearly all peer mentors partici-pated in the Common Orientation Programme, their warm invita-tion and engagements with the freshmen were crucial. Some reviewed that they learnt to make use of active listening and communication skills through various communication channels (eg. Whatapps, email, phone and QQ, etc.) to keep contact with freshmen.

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Some highlights of their unique services this semester:

Facilitating Acculturation - Cantonese Learning Sessions for Mainlanders

A few mainland peer mentors coordinated with SAO to form a Cantonese learning group for freshmen. The class was taught by our Student Guidance Officer. Ten students joined the group. They valued the group based on the fact that they could overcome language barrier and get actively involved in U-life. The group managed to bridge the language gap among the freshmen and support their 1st year adjustment.

Supporting Learning / Studies

Many of my peer mentors organized homework or subject reviews sessions for their freshmen. They also provided guidance on exam preparation and the skills/tips related to various subjects. They shared their valuable learning experiences generously despite that they had different education backgrounds. Freshmen’s anxiety towards exam or subject-based handling was eased due to the peers’ guidance.

Enhancing Social Bond – Facebook group, Birthday Celebration, Sports’ Activities, Life Sharing

Despite coming from different departments, mentors did organize various types of social activities to enhance freshmen’s sense of belonging to PolyU. Some of the students even became close friends. Friendships among PM, among freshmen, and among each other grew strong.

SAO also formed a FCE PMP group on Facebook to facili-tate PMs’ interactions. Till now, we have 15 mentors who have joined the group.

Salina CHAN, FCE Liaison Counsellor 10

Outstanding Awards


Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE)

The awards are to appreciate the efforts of our PMC and PM on launching the caring services in both individual and group contexts. Outstanding men-tees are selected for their active participation in U-life with the facilitation of their PMs. The Outstanding Team is awarded to the enthusiastic PMCs and PMs who have actively organized the Welcoming Night for the double cohort freshmen.

The awardees have displayed their every effort in showing their care throughout the whole semester. Their commitment and persistence in offering timely support to their juniors are evident - constant engagement via different media in exploring freshmen’s concerns, offering resources in studies, sharing studies tips, forming sharing meetings to address particular subject concerns, offering social gatherings to connect freshmen, uniting the freshmen in the face of adjustment, etc.

Their "heart and hard work" is impressive and highly appreciated. Despite that their freshmen may not come from the same department or share the same course code, PMs could still offer different levels of support to help these freshmen from different backgrounds, eg. DSE, A-level, Degree, HD. Some have even gone into in-depth sharing of their life experiences, and thus a strong bond is created in the PMP.

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OutstandingTeam


• MAN Ka Yiu (BSE)• SUN Yuan (BRE)


OutstandingMentee

• HO Cheuk Yiu (LSGI)• LEUNG Cho Ying (LSGI)• LU Wanning (CEE)• POON Kin Sang (BRE)

• CHENG Cho Leung (LSGI)• CHOW Hong (BSE)• LEE Siu Yan (BSE) • LI Wai Lung (BSE) • YIU Yeuk Hung (LSGI)

• CHENG Hoi Ki (LSGI)• CHU Man Ling (BRE)• FU Hei Kan (LSGI)• LAU Chung Ling (LSGI)• LAU On Hei (BRE)• LEUNG Chiu Man (BRE)• LEUNG Hung Shan (CEE)• LEUNG Shuk Man (BRE)• LI Wai Ping (CEE)• MAN Ka Yiu (BSE)• SUN Yuan (BRE)• TAM Wai Yan (CEE)• WAI On Yi Abi (LSGI)• WU Tsz Wai (CEE)

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Faculty of Engineering (FENG)

To facilitate the development of leadership and talent in organizing activities among peer mentors and peer mentor coordinators, and help freshmen to adjust to the new University live, we initiated various activities during the last semester. Having sent out regular questionnaire to students to collect their feedbacks about their interested activities, we then organized the Movie Night, the LEGCO visit, a PMP Basketball Competition and a Christmas Party in the previous semester.

The Movie Night was held late October before mid-term exams. This relaxing night helped mentors and mentees release their stress from heavy workload. For the LEGCO visit, we invited an outside speaker (LEGCO member Mr. Hon. Charles Mok) who delivered an inspiring speech and led a dynamic discussion on issues in both social and study spheres which concerned the freshmen.

The PMP Basketball Competition helped to promote and build a better team spirit. In the matches, mentors and mentees worked together and fought for the championship. The team “Rockets” won the Championship.

Summary of

FENG PMP

in 2012

The Christmas party brought the peer mentor coordinators, mentors and also the mentees together to celebrate this festive time of the year. Students also reported the various caring activities conducted throughout Semester One. Moreover, at the Christmas party, we encouraged all participants to buy a present for gift exchange to reinforce our programme’s ideal to share and to cherish. As the finals was about to start right after Christmas and New Year holidays, the party also provided a good chance for mentees to relax, and for the mentors to share their exam tactics and study skills.

Peter YEUNG, FENG Liaison Counsellor

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Outstanding Awards

Faculty of Engineering (FENG)

OutstandingTeam


• AU Cheuk Hang (COMP)• CHAN Wing Kai (FENG)


OutstandingMentee


• LI Bun (EE)• LO Ho Ming (COMP)• TONG Sze Nap (FENG)• WANG Yi (BME)

• CHEONG On Ni Annie (ME)• LAU Ka Lui (EE)• SZETO Wai Lam (FENG)• TANG Mo Tin (COMP)• WANG Pengyi (BME)

Team 1• CHANG Yu Wing (FENG)• CHENG Hiu Kwan (FENG)• CHEUNG Wai Hung (FENG)• HUNG Hiu Yee (FENG)• LAM Hoi Mei (FENG)• SZETO Wai Lam (FENG)• TONG Sze Nap (FENG)

Team2• LAM Yin Fung (EIE)• LAU Ka lui (EE)• LEUNG Ka Ki (EIE)• LI Cheuk Hang (EIE)• LI Bun (EE)• WONG Chun Yin (EIE)• WONG Ho Lung (EIE)• WONG Kin Wing (EIE)• WU Man Lok Wallace (EIE)• TSAI Sing Chin (EIE)• TSE Chiu Tung (EIE)15

Faculty of Humanities (FH)

Summary of

FH PMP

in 2012

Thanks to our 32 FH mentors for their support and care to our FH mentees!

Starting with a warm welcoming on COP day, FH mentors co-worked with Miss Vincci Lau, FH liaison counsellor, Mr. Patrick Ng, CBS Lecturer and Miss Catherine Law, Market-ing Manager of ENG to conduct the following events:

(1) Welcoming Night.

The programme aimed at building warm and caring relationships among FH mentors and mentees. There were 23 mentors and 50 mentees who joined our programme to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

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Faculty of Humanities (FH)

(2) Workshop - “How to Prepare Yourself in Career Development”.

Under facilitation of the counsellor, FH mentors co-worked with CBS, ENG and FH alumni for conducting the captioned programme. The programme aimed at preparing FH new comers for planning their university learning and career interest through alumni sharing.

Feedback from participants - It is perfect. (Sharing by Alumni) - Continue to hold related programmes. - Vincci’s reminder at the beginning of the workshop is inspiring. - A Very good workshop to me for searching my career direction.

(3) Workshop - “Study group for handling Final examination”.

The workshop aimed at preparing FH mentees to get ready for their final examination and assignments. Big thanks to the CBS and ENG departments for their continuing support in PMP!

Vincci LAU, FH Liaison Counsellor

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Outstanding Awards


OutstandingMentee

OutstandingTeam

• LUNG Ho Yuen (ENGL)

• LEE Pui Man (FH)

• CHEUNG Lai Ki (ENGL)• CHEUNG Lai Ping (ENGL)• CHEUNG Wing Lam (CBS) • LIU Chi Yung (CBS) • LUNG Ho Yuen (ENGL)• SZE Ka Po (ENGL)• WONG Junfu (CBS)

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Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS)

Summary of

FHSS PMP

in 2012

•

•

There were 33 active peer mentors and 4 peer mentor coordinators, who were previously peer mentors, joining the programme.

a. Individual Care

In the past few months, our FHSS peer mentors provided continuous caring and support to freshmen through giving individual attention. They have manifested their caring spirit to freshmen through different communication channels such as MSN, face-to-face contact and the Facebook. b. Community Support

Peer mentors organized different kinds of caring activities such as leisure activities and learning workshops for freshmen.

At the beginning of the semester, a Welcoming Night was organized to welcome FHSS fresh-men. Then two placement preparation work-shops for Radiography and OT freshmen were held to support the latter to get better prepared for their placement. Furthermore, physiotherapy peer mentors played tennis with the freshmen in addition to providing academic support.

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•

•

In the past year, we conducted a pilot workshop, Skill Test Workshop for SN freshmen. In the workshop, freshmen not only had chances to practice clinical skills, but also received valuable feedbacks from peer mentors. They appreciated the aims of the workshop. Therefore, we continued to organize two similar workshops in this academic year. Two SN graduates, peer mentors and some SN senior students provided concrete guidance and strengthened freshmen’s clinical skills.

SN, Radiography and OT freshmen were very satisfied with the workshops.

Their feedbacks:Funny Peer Mentor; interesting workshop; we practiced and learnt from our own and others’ mistakes, and also from mentors’ demonstration as well as sharing.

Sharon WONG, FHSS Liaison Counsellor

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Outstanding Awards

OutstandingTeam




OutstandingMentee

Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS)

Outstanding Peer Mentor Coordinator, Peer Mentor and team were selected for showing “CARE” in the programme (C: Caring; A: Active; R: Responsible & responsive; E: empathic understanding).We really appreciate all of them for facilitating our faculty programme. Without their contributions, little could be accomplished.

• HUI Man Ying (SN)• LAM Wai Ching (SN)

• CHAN Wing Ho (SN)• CHOI Chun Ning (HTI)• LAU Kai Cheong (RS)• LAW Yat Fung (SN)

• CHAN Lok Yin (RS)• CHU Miu Ying (HTI)• LAW Wai Lung (SN)• LAW Wing Lam (HTI)• LAM Ying Na (HTI)• TSOI Chui Ying (SN)

• CHAN Chun Tong (RS)• CHAN Wai Yee (RS)• CHOW Hoi Ki (RS)• HO Cheuk Yip (RS)• IP Chun San (RS)• LAM Pui Yan (RS)• LO Cheuk Kit (RS)• POON Ka Yin (RS)• TAM Kin Long (RS)

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School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM)

Summary of

SHTM PMP

in 2012

With the aim of connecting our freshmen and senior students under the same school to promote student success, the SHTM PMP kick started with the Common Orientation Programme on 13 Sept 2012.

A total of 27 active SHTM senior students signed up as Mentor. With concerted efforts, from September to

December 2012, these mentors organized a Welcoming Night, several work-shops on Personality Dimensions, Mid-term Exam Strategy, Semester One Exam & Activity-learning Strategy for all as well as a lunch gathering with our exchange students. Over 130 freshmen joined our programme and readily built their network in the SHTM PMP family!

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School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM)

Our freshmen gained continuous support from peer mentors on adjustment to university life. On the other hand, peer mentors valued their learning experience and personal growth through this programme. Many have further cultivated their interpersonal skills through supporting their freshmen and also felt fulfilled about making contributions to their school.

We were impressed by the peer mentors’ collective talents and their initia-tives to demonstrate their passion, hospitality and professional knowledge in the caring process, and thus adding real value to the school and its fellow students.

SHTM

Cassie CHAN, SHTM Liaison Counsellor

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Outstanding Awards


OutstandingPeer Mentee

OutstandingTeam

• YEUNG Ho Shing (SHTM)• YUEN Ngo Sheung (SHTM)

• CHOW Wing Kit (SHTM)• LAM Pun Chuan (SHTM)• YU Fei Man (SHTM)

• CHAN Hoi Yin (SHTM)• CHEUNG Hok Man (SHTM)• KWOK Tze Kit (SHTM)• LAU Chun Hei (SHTM)• SIN Hiu Ying Angle (SHTM)• YIP Chi Wai (SHTM)

• CHEUNG Tsz Ching (SHTM)• HOU Shanshan (SHTM)• SIN Mei Yee (SHTM)• WANG Siqi (SHTM)• WONG Kam Fong (SHTM)• WU Kenton Dennis Mcelhone (SHTM)• YEUNG Ho Shing (SHTM)• YIU Sze In (SHTM)• ZHENG Xiangqun (SHTM)

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On the way of Caring

Learn from Challenges and Master the Art of

Caring


Understand the Meaning of the Programme

NG Man Yee, FB

The term, “mentoring”, refers to a supportive relationship that is characterized by constructive role-modeling, encouragement towards raised aspirations, and by positive reinforcement for the achievement of goals. Peer mentoring is an important strategy for assisting First Year students during their transition to university. The programme fulfills the objectives to help students develop and enhance a sense of student identity, to become effectively integrated into the school, faculty and campus as a whole, to articulate a sense of purpose about being at university and about pursuing their particular programme of study, and to acquire the necessary skills to become independent and life-long learn-ers.

The programme is very useful for me and also my mentees. I was the fresh year student and someone’s mentee last year. My mentors did not take care of me much; therefore I become determined to take care of my mentees as much as possible this year. I’ve been quite an active participant in University activities, which enabled me to give suggestions in a broad scope to my mentees and also their friends.

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Believe in Our Worth

Never give up

Some of the freshmen in my group did not attend the activities, or they just ignored what we mentors did. At first, I felt quite frustrated, but later on, I thought it was understandable as they might have their own way of adapt-ing to the university life. I believe that if we, mentors, have tried our best to help the freshmen, no matter they are in my group or not, what we have done would be meaningful and worthy.

Lung Ho Yuen, FH

Lu Wanning, FCE

Sometimes I felt like I had to give up the role of peer mentor because of the heavy load of study this semester. I wondered if I could be like some of the peer mentors who showed great enthusiasm. But after a review of my first year’s experience I still hoped to save my freshmen from the twists and turns. And it turned out to be a right thing to do. I shared my experience with the freshmen and tried to find resources for them when I could not help. For instance, some of the mentees in my group raised out that they wished to learn Cantonese. After contacts with the PMP faculty-liaison staffs of SAO, a 4-session Cantonese workshop was arranged for us. I am pleased that I have tried my best to help and my mentees like this practical workshop. The programme has ignited my passion and I think I will make it last in the future.

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Enjoy the Challenge and Gain from the Challenge

My friends always ask me: why do you spend so much time on this programme? Don’t you have a lot of things to work on? Why don’t you spend time for some rest instead? You look exhausted. But truly, I didn’t regret joining this programme. Not because I want to have one more merit on my transcript, nor to fulfill the graduation requirement on CCA or CAT, but because I enjoy the process the most.

Days before the Orientation Day and the Welcoming Night, I was worried: do I have the competence to overcome my introvert personality so as to create a cheerful atmosphere for my mentees? With this question wandering in mind for nights, I asked myself what qualities the mentees are expecting from their mentors. By then, I started to recall the memories when I was a freshman: entering into an unfamiliar environment, meeting new people, wishing to have someone who could offer company and guidance. Starting from that point, I became determined to surmount and break through my psychological barrier, to step up and be the mentor they could rely on. Though stepping out of the comfort zone to make a breakthrough of myself feels scary and insecure, it is fulfilling when I see the smiles on mentees and how they are willing to open up to you. Owing to this programme, now I am more confident than before.

Fung Ho Yi, FAST

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Neither “NO” nor “YES”

Enter Mentees’ World

Kenton Dennis Mcelhone Wu, SHTM

Whenever I talk to the freshman, it is necessary to show some attentive behaviors including leaning towards that person, maintaining good eye contact and constructing a relaxing atmosphere. These non-verbal cues can enable them to express their feelings comfortably and achieve an effective communication. My communication skills were greatly enhanced and I have learnt how to show emotional support from this programme. I think this expe-rience will also benefit my future career.

Chan Wing Ho, FHSS

Interacting with people can be very inter-esting, to be there anytime and anywhere no matter on Whatsapp, on the phone, bumping into one and other on the hallway or actually scheduling a time to meet up. I always put effort into giving freshmen the right answer, that's why I have a good connection amongst them. I never say NO to my mentees, even if they ask for a direct answer. But I always divert the position to a more guidance stance to make sure they are learning actively. Especially in the hospitality field, it is good that they are gradually approaching me more as to build connections. But what is more important is that they are stepping out of their own comfort zone.

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Pay Attention to the Changing Concerns

LI Bun, FENG

After joining this programme for several months, I found that paying atten-tion to the changing concerns from mentees is quite important. I feel that both parties were growing up.

In September, most of the questions asked by freshmen were related to campus life. Once, a freshman asked me the location of a classroom in the morning. After that, I realized that all information provided to freshmen must be detailed and accurate. Thereafter I posted all websites for making booking of the UHS, books and even sport facilities for them. In fact, some freshmen didn’t even know that a booking must be made before seeing doctors on campus.

From October to November, most of the questions from freshmen were related to choosing a project, registering subjects and doing experiments. For example, some freshmen asked me about a course which required them to produce motor vehicles or a clamping machine. I gave some comments by referring to the choices of my classmates, but some students were still uncertain. After that, I realized that asking some questions were useful for helping them to make decision. For example, I asked them whether they played Mini 4WD or not in the past as this question might help them choose which project to work on.

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A Good Leader

Sincerity and Active Participation

Being a peer mentor is not a simple and easy task. There are multitudinous challenges, but my motto ‘always be active and cheerful’ helped me to over-come all the difficulties and urged me to do better. Being so I could boost up the team spirit and thus construct a good platform for communicating with freshmen. Apart from that, being sincere is what I always bear in mind, too. As a peer mentor, you should prepare yourself well and be ready for answering any questions anytime. Paying effort and time to assist mentees is your job, so being sincere is always the best way to maintain a good relationship with them. The help and assistance of mentors is just like medicine for mentees whenever they are sick during adaptation to a brand new environment.

Leung Ginny, FAST

I think the Faculty/School-based Peer Mentoring Programme is meaningful and helpful. It not only helps the freshmen who have little or even no understanding about university life when they enter the university, but also provides a golden opportunity for me to learn and grow outside classroom. Through organizing activities with the peer mentors, I have learnt how to be a good leader and a good team player. A good leader does not mean to dominate everything, but to respect others' opinions and help and encourage other team members to develop their confidence and build up mutual trust, like a big family.

I think what I have learnt from the PMP is definitely practical and useful in my future career.

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MAN Ka Yiu, FCE

Sense of Belonging

Kwok Yim Wai, FB

Soon after the common orientation day, I set up a Facebook group for the peer mentors and mentees, so the communication among our group can be facilitated and I can make use of this platform to inform them about other activities such as the study tips sharing session organized by the SAO.

That is all because in my opinion, freshmen need to adapt to the new teaching pace and style in university, meanwhile a sense of belonging is something that they want to acquire. So it is more considerate for us, as a peer mentor, to actively chat with them whenever we meet each other on the campus and to listen to their sharing attentively.

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Group work

Language is NOT a Barrier

Sze Ka Po, Irene, FH

Zhang Qixuan, FENG

The programme not only gave me a chance to help freshmen, but also gave me a valuable lesson on organizing activity. Supporting the organization of the “Welcoming Night” and “Career Development”, my organizational skills were enhanced and my confidence was boosted. The success in achieving our programme goals is attributed to the effort of every single person in the committee. The passion and enjoyment towards what one does shall be applied to our learning and career development.

The programme allows me to know more friends with various backgrounds and from different cultures, which is definitely amazing! We chat with each other as much as possible and play together. After this, I’ve realized that communication skills are much more important than languages. Even though I do not speak Cantonese very well, I can still communicate with others. The programme did let me have a chance to help freshmen and train my interpersonal skills.

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Care with HEART AND SOUL and Gain Appreciation

Serving Heart - from Campus to Society, from Now to the Future

Lam Pui Yan, FHSS

CHEUNG Tsz Ching, SHTM

I participated in the sharing sessions as a part of the programme in the Mid-term Study Strategy and Exam Study Strategy and Activity Arrangement. I shared my study strategies and skills in doing projects and presentations with my classmates. We shared contacts with the mentees. I was so touched that one of the mentees sent me a message afterwards, saying that our sharing was very useful to her and she could feel that we shared wholeheartedly.

Through this programme, I have raised my awareness and readiness to serve others. I have become more conscious of taking the initiative and interacting with others. For instance, whenever I meet my mentees on campus, I ask for their recent conditions and see if they are in need of help. I try to share my personal experience and show my care to them whenever I can. I think this learning experience can also be applied to other situations such as voluntary services. We should be more sensitive to the subjects' needs and always take the initiative to interact with them. Moreover, this can also be applied to our society. People nowadays always stay inside their comfort zone and tend to have little interaction with the neighbours. If we can always take the initiative to show our concern, our social cohesion will be enhanced.

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On the Way of Receiving Care

We are Grateful for Having YOU

On the way of Receiving Caring

Lost and Found

LI Jiaheng, FB

As I look back over the whole period of orientation week, our mentors led us to explore the Hong Kong society. There are really some differences between living here and in the mainland. As long as we get used to the life here, we could blend into the Hong Kong society. Besides the city exploration tour, my mentors also provided support to help me get used to the local life and also to studying here. When I needed help, they would always be right there.One night, when I was going to return to the student hall of residence from school, I found the doors of the academic build-ing closed for it was 11 o’clock. At that time I was not familiar with our campus facility and I just didn’t know how to get out from that entrance. I tried first to ask some local students, yet they had no clue either. At that moment, I thought of my mentor and phoned her. Thanks to her help, I accessed the T building with my student card to go to G floor and finally found my way out.

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Everything has been new to me the first time I came to PolyU. I felt quite confused as I dealt with many daily affairs, like how to do the laundry properly, how to print documents as I wish and so on.

My peer mentor, who has already got good knowledge in every aspect of university life, really helped me a lot to feel at ease while getting accustomed to the PolyU as well as to Hong Kong. For example, she took me to the library in person, and taught me about proper usage of all the facilities there. Thanks to her enthusiastic introduction that day, I enjoyed the resources in the library during the semester. Moreover, she showed me around the campus and the residential hall. That was also a meaningful day. Without that experience, I guess I would not have started such a rich and colorful student life soon after the commencement of school.

And fortunately, my mentor also lives in the residential hall. So it's very easy for me to seek assistance from her when I encounter difficulties in studies. Her advice is always timely and helpful. Overall she is a nice girl and a well qualified mentor, and I feel really grateful to her. CHEN Kunwei, FCE

An Excellent Tour Guideto University Life

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LEE PUI MAN, FH

Since we have only met our peer mentors several times, and the situations they face are different from ours due to different curricula, although we express our needs, they might not be able to answer our questions. But our mentors listen to us patiently all the time and try their best to answer our questions, which makes us feel like a family. The mentors have done an outstanding job!

The peer mentors are very helpful. Putting aside the help that they give us on study aspects, the care and warmth alone that they bring to us have done us a big favor for getting used to the university life! It is extremely important for a freshman to adapt to the new environment. Also, they’ve shared lots of learning experiences and their happiness with us like a family. This is the best ever!

We are ONE Family

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CHU Lai Ning, FB

When I was entering university, I felt both excited and nervous. And yet I also looked forward to my university life in the coming three years because it was a brand new start to me.

I think the peer mentoring programme is quite useful for freshmen as it serves as another chan-nel for us to adapt to the new school life more quickly. We can have one more person (i.e. our mentor) to ask questions as well as to ask for help. The program makes me feel that we as freshmen are being taken care of and the university is willing to offer helps to us.

Help and Care

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The PMP is really a brilliant opportunity for us freshmen to adapt to the new university lives as soon as possible. As a mainlander, I encountered many kinds of problems such as language, custom and climate differences when I just arrived in HK. Having no acquaintance, I didn’t talk much in the first several days, and wasn’t active in games. However, my peer mentor is a very outgoing girl and it was her that encouraged me to have great delightful talks with others. Also, she told me some learning skills which are very useful and practical.

Thanks to the help from my peer mentor, thanks to the PMP, I have been getting more and more familiar and comfortable with my university life as well as this city.

WANG Pengyi, FENG

Problems? No Problem!

I felt a little bit nervous and excited when I first entered Poly U. I knew nobody in the new environment. In my study program, the class size is big and I know nobody in my class. I have to do everything on my own. Through joining the peer mentoring programme, I’ve got a great chance to know somebody and my peer mentor gave me support in different aspects. These are valuable to me. The programme provides a chance that we can communicate with our peer mentors who will always give us support and reminders. I feel more confident now and I am looking forward to my upcoming university life.

Nobody, but You

FUNG Hiu Kwan, FAST

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This is not the end…

EpilogueWe are delighted and encouraged that freshmen experienced support through peer mentors’ enthusiasm and serving spirit. Meanwhile, freshmen and peer mentors both matured after the programme. In the coming days, we will continue to embrace our mission to serve the freshmen. In addition, we hope that each peer mentor will not only have ongoing personal development but also live with a caring heart.

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If it is allowed, I would like to continue being a mentor next year.

Mentor, YUE Hui, FAST

I am sure I will be the PMC (Peer Mentor Coordinator) next year to help more freshmen.

If I have an opportunity to join peer mentor programme next year, I must participate as a peer mentor again.

Mentor, Chan Nga Lun, FHSS

Mentor, Lung Ho Yuen, FH

I will be a more experienced mentor next year.

Mentor, YAN Yifei, FENG

I devoted myself to help the freshmen. The programme has been with me in two years already. I hope that there will be more and more mentors in the future that devote themselves in helping the freshmen familiar and unit themselves in Polyu Life.

Mentor, POON Kin Sang, FCE

I hope that I will also be able to be a peer mentor next year to help the younger!

Mentee, WANG Pengyi, FENG

It is a programme that can help freshman establish social network in a new environment. I will join this programme if there’s the opportunity.

Mentee, Ng Lai Ming, FB

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You are most welcome to join the 2013 Faculty/School Peer Mentoring Programme and contribute to the building of a caring and connected campus.

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Student Affairs OfficeThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityTelephone: (852) 2766 6800Email Address: [email protected]: www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/pmp

Documents

Summary and Outstanding Awards of 2012