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Student Services
Almost all faculties and/or services on campus have a mentoring center. In fact, 18 exist across campus. These Centers consist of students who are employed to help other students during their adaptation to/ journey through university life.

Mentoring Center for the Faculty of Arts
The help of these mentors may be sought for several reasons. The following are just a few among many examples: seeking help with strategies for taking different types of exams, seeking help with exam preparation, seeking ways in which to manage stress, seeking help with organization and time management, seeking strategies for better note taking and effective reading, seeking the location of a different service, looking to participate in workshops, and looking to participate in a study group for specific courses. The mentors from this center are trained to help respond to these needs and offer several avenues through which they can be of assistance. These avenues include making an individual appointment with students, having students take part in a group-based workshop and, having students take part in a group-based study session.

Workshops and study groups are generally an hour and a half long and require online, phone-based, or in person registration. They are designed to provide a group environment in which students are solicited to be creative, active, and interactive. They not only allow students to form new bonds, they also provide helpful and insightful tips. Workshops are provided for the following themes: relaxation and visualization, motivation and procrastination, exam preparation, essay writing, effective reading, effective note taking, time management, stress management, and services offered on campus. Study groups are provided for the following courses: CMN 1148, CMN 1548, GEG 1301, and HIS 1520. Specifically speaking of study groups, they are offered to first year students and provide these students with the opportunity to succeed at the highest possible level. As group-based discussion of key themes and other important topics relating to the course is encouraged, students are able to clarify anything they feel is misunderstood. They are also able to interact with others from their program or department which encourages cooperation and friendship.

There is a general consensus as to the benefits incurred by participating in study groups. Ultimately, many professors agree that group-based studying helps alter bad study habits as well as creates opportunity for students to view information in different ways. This elevates students’ grades and contributes to future success.

Furthermore, students who feel uncomfortable or vulnerable in group environments, are encouraged to make individual appointments which last one hour and are much more personalized. During these meetings students may broach any topics that may be covered in a workshop or study session and take the time to ask any questions. They are also encouraged to bring in their notes and course material so that any specific concerns may be addressed. The mentors therefore offer a wide range of ways in which to assist students during these appointments whether it be through the creation of a functional schedule or through advice on how to take more effective notes during their lectures.

Some students also feel the need to meet with mentors for more personal reasons. As the University of Ottawa is quite proud of its diverse and multicultural population, it is also highly aware of the difficult adaptation involved in traveling far from home to study in a completely new environment. While some students come from smaller, more secluded regions of Canada, others come from entirely different countries and cultures altogether. This transition is often done on their own meaning that they have a very minuscule support system when arriving at the university. Some also suffer from issues relating to new found independence, working in a new culture, or an overabundance of free time. Once again, mentors are there to help these students manage their stress and to help guide them to the right academic path.

An important note to make is that mentors are not tutors, Teaching assistants, professors, or counselors. Although they do have a basic level of training, they are aware of their boundaries. Because of these boundaries, student mentors are also expected to know of the various services offered on campus such as the counselling and coaching service, and access services. This knowledge allows them to point students in the proper direction when they are unable to offer further help themselves.

Although the mentors cannot tutor students at this center, philosophy tutors are employed in order to help students who require assistance with understanding the material taught in their first year philosophy courses. Tutoring sessions are usually individual and may be booked by phone, through e-mail, or in person.

This specific center is open from 9-4:30 every day of the week; however, other mentoring centers may have different hours based on student availability and student demand.