Academic Mentoring

Connect with an Academic Mentor. Share your goals, talk through ideas, ask questions, receive guidance and get the most out of your time at uni.

Book, reschedule or cancel your meeting

What is Academic Mentoring?

Academic Mentoring helps you to connect with a supportive mentor through one-on-one meetings. It’s a 30-minute meeting with an Academic Mentor where you can build support networks at the University. It’s not a formal discussion and there are no right or wrong answers. It’s all about providing you with practical strategies to support your learning and success.


A connection you can only get at UniMelb.

As you progress through your degree, your Academic Mentor will become a familiar face on campus. Mentoring is not just about imparting knowledge. It’s about creating an environment where both you and your mentor can learn, reflect, and develop together.

What it is

A 30-minute meeting with an Academic Mentor where you can:

  • Develop essential networking skills, such as effective communication and relationship-building
  • Develop work-ready soft skills, such as time management and problem-solving
  • Talk through ideas and opportunities that can help you grow and reach your goals
  • Gain new perspectives, develop critical thinking
  • Gain practical advice to navigate complex academic environments.

What it isn't

  • An academic progress check
  • A counselling and psychological service
  • A wellbeing service
  • A career and employability consultation
  • Course/Subject advice

How it works

You and your Academic Mentor will meet four times throughout your undergraduate degree. Your first meeting will take place in your second semester and continue once per semester. Meetings are 30 minutes and can be held on campus or online.

Second semester

Come prepared to share a bit about yourself – talk about your interests, what you want to get out of uni and how you plan to achieve your goals.

Third semester

Discuss the last 12 months and where you want to be in the next year.

Fourth semester

Unpack any challenges you’ve experienced and potentially explore new pathway ideas.

Fifth semester

Reflect on everything you’ve achieved so far and discuss what you want to get out of your time left at uni – and beyond!

How to prepare

Need a bit of inspiration? Check out this Student Guide, created for students by students, which includes helpful tips for an effective mentoring meeting.

We've also come up with some questions and conversation starters to help you prepare but feel free to come up with your own.

Your mentor might ask:

  • How's your semester going?
  • What are your passions and interests?
  • Have you joined any student clubs or societies?
  • Do you have any specific goals this semester?
  • How do you go about achieving these goals?
  • How are you feeling about uni life overall? Are you where you want to be?

You might want to ask:

  • I'm finding my study _______ (enjoyable / challenging / inspiring). Do you have any suggestions for how I could engage more?
  • My interests are _______. How can I incorporate this into my studies?
  • I've been thinking about what's next, but I'm not sure if I should do _______ or _______. Can I talk my decision through with you?
  • I'm not sure if I should do an internship / placement, do you have any insights?

What students are saying


Mashal, Bachelor of Arts


Annie, Bachelor of Science

Frequently asked questions

  • You will receive an email that introduces your mentor. You can also find out more about them through the Find an Expert page, accessible through the Academic Mentoring page in my.unimelb.

  • At the start of each semester in the program, you will receive an email inviting you to select your preferred time to meet with your mentor. You will receive a confirmation email with your meeting details and they will also be available on the  Academic Mentoring page in my.unimelb and in your MyDay section of the portal.

  • Let your mentor know via email. You can find their email address in your booking confirmation email.  

    If you know in advance that you will be unable to attend a scheduled meeting, please reschedule or cancel via the Academic Mentoring page in my.unimelb .

  • You will meet with your Academic Mentor once a semester from your second semester until your fifth semester. In some specific circumstances, your Academic Mentor may change during your degree.

  • Not at all! Academic Mentoring is a flexible, open space where you can discuss topics beyond your field or career, such as personal goals, study strategies, or general academic advice.

  • If you wish to maintain the connection with your mentor beyond the program, you are more than welcome to! Some students continue to catch-up with their mentor in person, while some prefer to check-in a few times a year over email. We recommend you discuss how you wish to keep in touch directly with your mentor during or after your final meeting in your third year.

  • Mentors may choose to take brief notes about your meetings to help them keep track of key topics discussed. Your meetings are confidential and are designed to support your growth and development. They are a safe space for you to discuss your goals and challenges. There may be some cases when a mentor needs to disclose information to help you receive the best support you need.

  • Academic Mentoring focuses on personalised guidance and broader professional development at University. In contrast, Peer Mentoring is a student-to-student program that offers relatable advice and support from someone with recent shared experiences.

  • No, Academic Mentoring focuses on academic and professional development, while CAPS provides mental health support and counselling. More information on CAPS can be found on their website.