Mentorship as a Tool for Success for First-Year Students: Approach and Training

Mentorship for first-year students at EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) plays a key role in supporting students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds such as women and first-generation students, in their transition to higher education. The demanding academic environment, marked by a high level of autonomy and limited immediate feedback, can pose significant challenges for many students. The mentorship program aims to help students navigate these challenges by providing academic guidance and fostering the development of effective learning strategies. Research shows that mentorship programs have positive impacts on student retention and performance, especially in STEM disciplines. EPFL's mentorship program focuses on developing eight key learning habits, such as time management, note-taking, problem-solving, and stress management. Trained mentors guide students through these habits, helping them adapt to academic culture. The program's flexibility allows departments to tailor the mentorship to their specific needs, though this flexibility can lead to variations in implementation. To ensure consistent quality and maximize the program's effectiveness, improvements in mentor training, clearer role definitions, and more systematic evaluation are necessary. This mentorship initiative has the potential to be a critical lever for enhancing student success and fostering inclusion at EPFL.