荔枝视频

For many first-generation university students, navigating the complexities of post-secondary education can be daunting. At the 荔枝视频, the First-Generation Students Program provides a lifeline, connecting students with mentors who guide them through academic and personal life challenges. 

For two participants, the journey didn鈥檛 stop at receiving guidance; they returned to the program as mentors, eager to help others find their footing 鈥� paying it forward, much like donors to the initiative, which benefits from philanthropic support.

Finding Community as a Mentor

Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Canada, one of the program鈥檚 mentors, Imandi Attanayake, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society, reflected on the anxiety of beginning university without familial guidance. 鈥淓veryone told me in high school, 鈥榊ou鈥檒l be on your own,鈥欌�� says Attanayake. 鈥淚 worried about finding someone who understood what I was going through and could guide me.鈥�

Attanayake found more than academic advice as a mentee, she built a lasting connection. 鈥淢y mentor became like an older sibling. Even now, we text, meet for coffee, and stay in touch,鈥� she says. Inspired by her experience, she became a mentor herself, motivated by a desire to pay it forward.

The transition from mentee to mentor gave Attanayake a new sense of responsibility and purpose. 鈥淚 never realized how much of a responsibility it is. As a mentee, you鈥檙e asking questions, but as a mentor, you need to anticipate their needs and be proactive,鈥� she says. Training provided by the program helped her build confidence in her role. 鈥淭he tips on handling stressful situations and open communication were invaluable.鈥�

鈥淎s students engage in mentor training, they have an opportunity to further build community with each other while learning new skills in supporting others,鈥� says , director at the .

Giving back through mentorship

Another mentor, Jenny Park, originally from South Korea, shares a similar story. Now a second-year  student, she recalls her early struggles adjusting to university life. Coming from a small high school with just 20 graduates, she felt overwhelmed by the scale and pace of the university. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know how to study effectively or make meaningful connections,鈥� she says.

Park's mentor played a crucial role in helping her navigate these challenges. 鈥淪he gave me practical advice, like taking summer courses to lighten my regular semester workload,鈥� Park says. The guidance eased her stress and improved her academic performance. 鈥淚t felt like someone was in my corner, rooting for me.鈥�

That experience inspired her to become a mentor. 鈥淚 wanted to give back to first-generation students because I understood their struggles,鈥� she says. As a mentor, she strives to create a supportive environment where her mentees feel comfortable seeking help. 鈥淚 want them to know they鈥檙e not alone and that they have someone to rely on.鈥�

鈥淎s a first-generation student myself, I remember the effort involved in finding people and places to ask questions about university and the important role that peer connections played for me,鈥� Ross says. 鈥淜nowing that students鈥� former experiences as mentees inspire them to step into leadership roles to support new students is exactly what we hope to achieve with First-Generation programming.鈥�

Building a legacy of support

Both Attanayake and Park credit the First-Generation Students Program for shaping their university experiences and helping them grow personally. They have developed leadership, communication and problem-solving skills through their mentorship roles. 鈥淏eing a mentor has taught me that you don鈥檛 need decades of experience to guide someone. It鈥檚 about being present and supportive,鈥� said Park.

Both mentors emphasize the importance of mentorship for first-generation students. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about academics. It鈥檚 about having someone who knows how stressful midterms are or how to bounce back from a bad grade,鈥� says Park.  

Park echoed this sentiment. 鈥淛oining this program, whether as a mentee or a mentor, is invaluable. It keeps you on track and gives you a sense of purpose.鈥�

鈥淭his program creates pathways and opportunities for individuals striving to navigate their way and discover a clear direction,鈥� said  registrar. 

For both students, the decision to give back was a natural progression. Their experiences as mentees helped them succeed and inspired them to help others thrive. As mentors, they hope to leave a lasting impact on their mentees, equipping them with the confidence and tools to succeed in university and beyond.

Looking Ahead

The First-Generation Students Program exemplifies U荔枝视频鈥檚 commitment to supporting diverse student populations and fulfils one of the aim of its Ahead of Tomorrow strategic plan to increase access to meaningful and future-focused education with the goal of educating transformative leaders. By nurturing a culture of mentorship, the program empowers students to overcome barriers, build resilience, and achieve their goals.

The initiative also benefits from the support of donors who recognize the value of such programming and see it as not only an investment in the individual students, but the community as a whole.

鈥淧rograms like this are vital,鈥� says Park. 鈥淭hey provide a guiding hand for students who might otherwise feel lost.鈥�

For Park, the legacy of the program is clear: 鈥淚t鈥檚 about creating a chain of support. Someone helped me; now it鈥檚 my turn to help someone else. That鈥檚 how we all succeed.鈥�