2011 Topics for Discussion
Please Note: Use this chart as a guideline, and don’t feel the need to touch on every topic when you
meet with your mentee.
MONTH
SEPTEMBER
Meet with your
mentee 2-3X’s times
in September
Following your last
meeting in
September, schedule
your October meeting
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
Initial Meeting:
 2 days prior to your meeting confirm the meeting location and time
with your mentee (you should do this before every meeting)
 Arrive early
 Introduce yourself, shake hands, smile
 Sit comfortably to facilitate communication
 Encourage your mentee to set short-term and long-term goals for
themselves. You will be revisiting these goals throughout the
academic year to ensure that your mentee doesn’t lose sight of their
goals. Follow the SMART Principle:
S- specific
M- measureable
A- attainable
R- realistic
T- time-based, trackable
 At the end of your first meeting exchange your contact informationpreferred method:
BBM
Facebook
msn
Cell Phone/Texting
Other Topics:
 Encourage them to attend Windsor Welcome Week (WWW) Sept 4-10,
2011
 Help them locate their classes (may want to do this during WWW)
 Introduce them to the Leddy Library: finding resources and using the
Course Reserve
 Living in Residence
 Explain how the wait lists work
 Concerns/questions regarding OSAP
 Purchasing textbooks
 Obtaining a parking pass and where the pay and display lots are
located
 Opting Out of Health/Dental Plan
 S.T.E.P.S. Workshops (studying, time management, reading your
textbooks, note taking, taking multiple choice exams, test anxiety)
 Exercising at the Forge
 Adding/dropping courses (If you are receiving OSAP, please contact the
Awards Office prior to dropping courses. Some loans and awards
require you to be enrolled full-time)
 Getting to know their professors- Introduce yourself during their office
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OCTOBER
Meet with your
mentee 2 X’s in
October
Revisit the goals they
set for themselves in
September. Are they
still on the right
track?
Following your last
meeting in October,
schedule your
November meeting
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hours
Importance of review
Keeping up on assigned readings
Approaching their TA’s if they have any questions about the material
and/or course expectations
Getting involved on campus. What is a Co-Curricular Transcript?
Homesickness and ways to overcome it (Phone calls, planning visits
and Skype)
Good eating habits
Planning for a future career
Managing your relationships
Unusual sleeping patterns. Not getting enough sleep, can’t get up for
your morning class, having difficulties focusing in class.
Student Counseling Services
Finding the right place to study on campus
Familiar with plagiarism
Making a “buddy” in each class that you can get notes from if you have
to miss class
Adjusting to independence (e.g. Managing a budget, balancing one’s
social life and academics and meeting University deadlines)
Effective time management
Check out September’s Issue of STUDENT HEALTH 101
Visit the Campus Life Line website. Campus Life Line provides online,
just-in-time support on academic, personal and social topics.
UWSA Club Days will be hosted either the 2nd or 3rd week of
September, stay posted for the official day!
Share your study and exam tips
S.T.E.P.S. Workshops (studying, time management, reading your
textbooks, note taking, taking multiple choice exams, test anxiety)
Revisit the goals they set for themselves in September
How did their mid-terms go?
Adding/dropping courses (If you are receiving OSAP, please contact the
Awards Office prior to dropping courses. Some loans and awards
require you to be enrolled full-time)
Procrastination
Getting involved (UWSA, OPUS, Clubs and Societies, Forge, SOS
recruitment begins in January)
Work Study and WISE
Approaching their T.A.’s if they have having difficulty comprehending
course material
Budgeting for the year
Meet with your professors or T.A.’s regarding your mid-terms
Finding a quiet study place on campus
Any concerns living in Residence/ or off campus?
Coping effectively with stress
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Deciding on what classes to register for in the winter semester
When is their registration date and time?
Check out October’s Issue of STUDENT HEALTH 101
Visit the Campus Life Line website. Campus Life Line provides online,
just-in-time support on academic, personal and social topics.
NOVEMBER
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Meet with your
mentee 1X in October
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Deciding if 5 courses if too much. If you are receiving OSAP, please
contact the Awards Office prior to dropping courses. Some loans and
awards require you to be enrolled full-time.
Voluntary Withdraw date is November 9, 2011. If they are confident
that they will fail a course, they should drop the course before the VW
date. A VW is better than an F. Before they drop a course they should
meet with a Professional Advisor in the Advising Centre.
Procrastination
S.T.E.P.S. Workshops (studying, time management, reading your
textbooks, note taking, taking multiple choice exams, test anxiety)
Using your TA’s as a resource
Less contact with family and friends
Shorter and darker days may bring on “winter blues”
For some, dealing with the first holiday away from home
Importance of exercise as mood elevator and stress relief
Check out November’s Issue of STUDENT HEALTH 101
Visit the Campus Life Line website. Campus Life Line provides online,
just-in-time support on academic, personal and social topics.
Revisit their goals.
Are they still on the
right track?
Following your
meeting in November,
schedule your January
meeting
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DECEMBER
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Send your mentee an e-mail to check in on them after their exams and
to wish them a happy holiday
JANUARY

Meet with your
mentee 1X in January
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How did first semester go? What went successful? What areas would
you like to improve upon?
S.T.E.P.S. Workshops (studying, time management, reading your
textbooks, note taking, taking multiple choice exams, test anxiety)
Unwanted weight gains and how to be active on campus
What is academic probation?
Satisfaction with current program
Are they making new friends on campus?
Promote Extra-curricular
Check out January’s Issue of STUDENT HEALTH 101
Visit the Campus Life Line website. Campus Life Line provides online,
just-in-time support on academic, personal and social topics.
UWSA will be hosting Clubs Day this month. Please check with the
UWSA office for event details.
Revisit their goals.
Are they still on the
right track?
Following your
meeting in January,
schedule your
February meeting
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FEBRUARY
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Meet with your
mentee 1X in
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S.T.E.P.S. Workshops (studying, time management, reading your
textbooks, note taking, taking multiple choice exams, test anxiety)
Relationships can strengthen or weaken
Using TA’s as a resource
February
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Revisit their goals.
Are they still on the
right track?
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Following your
meeting in February,
schedule your March
meeting
MARCH
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Meet with your
mentee for the final
time in March
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What goals did they
successfully attain?
What goals are they
still working towards
entering into their
second year?
Using Reading Week to catch up on your readings and study for your
upcoming exams.
Can you afford to go on vacation?
How are mid-terms going?
Check out February’s Issue of STUDENT HEALTH 101
Visit the Campus Life Line website. Campus Life Line provides online,
just-in-time support on academic, personal and social topics.
S.T.E.P.S. Workshops (studying, time management, reading your
textbooks, note taking, taking multiple choice exams, test anxiety)
Preparing for final exams
March 14, 2011: Last day to Voluntarily Withdraw from Winter Session
Starting to look for a summer job. Help with resume/cover letter
Preparing for finals
Using TA’s as a resource
Using exercise as stress relief
Planning to move back home for the summer
Staying in Residence or moving Off-Campus? Changing roommates?
Where to find Off-Campus housing
Check out March’s Issue of STUDENT HEALTH 101
Visit the Campus Life Line website. Campus Life Line provides online,
just-in-time support on academic, personal and social topics.