Being a first year student can be extremely overwhelming, especially when you keep hearing from everyone that the best way to make friends around campus is joining societies and clubs.
However, in my experience, it puts a lot of pressure on you when you do end up finding yourself in a society event and then realise that it is not helpful and most people already have their own little groups of friends. It can leave you feeling quite rejected.
However, for me, it was more about not really being very good at any of these interests I have, and so feeling like I would be the odd one out in events where people must already know so much about what they are doing.
My involvement in the Trinity community started as being a member of the S2S society in my second year. Through this society, I have met a group of absolutely amazing people and acquired skills that have helped me so much in my life.
If you are familiar with the people in their red hoodies from the first year, then this blog will break down what S2S is, and how to get involved in volunteering in one of the most service and student oriented organizations here in Trinity.
About S2S
S2S or Student to Student is a student led initiative which not only facilitates the transition of first years into college but also ensures that they get the necessary information and support needed to make their duration more comfortable, have a friendly face to talk to if they just require some company and someone to listen, or simply ask questions if they do not know who to go to.
The S2S, SLD (student learning and development), and SCS (Student Counseling Services), together make sure that students get the required services in college through every step. S2S is more like a subsidiary of SCS, and is more informal compared to structured counseling.
SLD, run by the library, is one of the best supports available during exam season, and they often run a lot of academic workshops on how to write good essays and avoid plagiarism, which might be beneficial.
Mentors
Coming back to S2S, one of their truly valuable services offered to incoming first year undergrads is the mentoring program where experienced students from particular courses volunteer to provide assistance and support to each and every first year student throughout the year.
I got into S2S by volunteering to become a mentor in the second year, and got to know people from different courses. Their 4 hour training provided me with some essential active listening and mentoring skills. This is a great way to get started in involvement in societies which are diverse and inclusive.
Head Mentors
Head Mentors are there to support the mentors and act as a liaison between the S2S staff and mentors. They give all the important updates and are an upgrade from the position of a mentor. It enables you to use your experience of success and learning with other mentors. It also provides you with a lot of coaching skills.
Peer Support
Peer supporters go through a week-long training program where they are skilled in active listening and empathy. They are trained to be patient listeners and offer 1-1 support to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, when requested through the S2S website.
The skills learned during this training are important life skills, and as a peer supporter myself, the role gives me a sense of purpose and helps me give back more to the college community and meet new people. Grievance handling is also an important skill for many jobs including HR, which I aspire to be a part of.
S2S Society
All the volunteers with S2S have an option of becoming S2S Society members, which is just like any other trinity society, formed and run by students. They are given further opportunities to engage in leadership and decision-making roles, facilitating the enhancement of their graduate attributes and career-readiness skills. They do some amazing events all year out, which include free food most of the time! They do mentor-mentee mixer events as well!
Why is it important?
S2S gives great opportunities to students who actively want to engage in volunteering and provide assistance to fellow students. It is an important college resource that functions to make student life easier and comfortable. They also provide great leadership, mentoring, and active listening skills that enhance personal and professional attributes and are actively seeked by employers.
S2S is a community of amazing people that are always ready to take time out to offer help and support.
Through this society, I found a way to connect and interact with like-minded people and get involved within the college community. It is a society that does not require you to have any personal skills and it doesn’t even require you to come in with a group of friends.
Everyone is always super friendly and ready to talk and it is a community of very accepting, diverse, and inclusive individuals so you will never find yourself feeling odd or left out!
