Academic Mentoring

Share goals, 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 connect with a supportive mentor through regular one-on-one meetings. It’s not meant to be formal and there are no right or wrong answers. It’s all about helping you build your university networks and providing 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 sharing knowledge or giving advice. 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

At the start of each semester, new students will be invited to join Academic Mentoring via their student email. You’ll be asked to complete a short preference form to let us know what you’re most interested in, and we’ll match you with a Mentor based on your responses.

If you miss the preference deadline, you can still join the program next semester.

Once you’re matched, you can book meetings with your mentor from Week 4 to 12. If you already have a Mentor, bookings open from Week 1. To get the most out of the program, we recommend booking early, as availability is limited.

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

How to talk to your Academic Mentor

Building professional conversation skills is valuable for your career, and informal practice makes it easier.

Before meeting, consider rehearsing key discussion points. Using notes helps focus the conversation and respects your mentor's time. Check out this video of Gurshan and Jamie for conversation ideas and tips.

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.

  • Towards the beginning of each semester, you’ll receive an email inviting you to book a meeting 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.

  • Students who have joined the program and been allocated a mentor will see information regarding booking a meeting. For those that see a blank screen, this means you are not in the program currently and can join Academic Mentoring from Weeks 0–2 each semester.

  • 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 can meet with your Academic Mentor each semester once you are officially admitted into your degree until your completion (e.g. first semester to last 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 instances where a mentor discloses information your shared with them – usually in these situations it’s because of concerns around safety or wellbeing.

  • Academic Mentoring focuses on personalised guidance and broader professional development at University. While 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 can be found on the Counselling and Psychological Services page.

  • If you missed this semester's due date, don't worry. You will be invited again at the beginning of next semester. Keep an eye on your student email for your invitation and respond promptly so you don't miss out.

  • The preferencing period opens at the beginning of each semester. It is open to new undergraduate students and current undergraduate students who did not book a meeting last semester, who want to join the program. Complete the short preference form to share your needs and goals. We will use this information to match you with the most suitable mentor.