We run two programs; Jumpstart and Thrive. You can choose to do one or both.

Jumpstart runs from Feb 14th through to the 18th which is the week before Orientation week. This program involves volunteer mentors teaching new students about UQ's administration and technology and being involved in a variety of activities around campus. Two mentors usually work with one group of approximately 20 students. Where possible new mentors are paired with experienced ones. The Feb 14th is mentor training, and the rest of the week is the program itself. Jumpstart serves both domestic and international students. It has been established for about 3 years and co-ordinated by Trish Taggart. Jumpstart is run at St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses. Students wanting teaching experience would benefit from this experience.

Thrive involves contact with domestic students for their first semester at UQ. Most mentor contact will be via email. Mentors, supported by staff and a Blackboard site, will be guided to contact their mentees with information about topics and workshops appropriate to the time of the semester. For example, during the first week mentors will be asked to make sure their students have worked out their time table. The mentors will also informally check up on their students to monitor their progress and assist them or refer them to Transition staff for support. This program is new and will start afresh in Semester 2 with the new cohort of students.

We would like to recruit mentors who:

• have completed at least one year of tertiary study. Postgraduate students are welcome.
• are domestic or international students.
• have reasonable spoken English
• have a desire to help others get a positive start to uni.

For further information please contact the First Year Engagement team at Student Services on 33651704 or email us at newtouq@uq.edu.au

To participate in either of these programs please Register Online. You will be contacted by one of the Transition Officers.