New to Mentorship? Here Are 20 Questions to Ask Your Mentor

by Minjae Kim

Starting to think about life after high school can be exciting, but overwhelming. University applications, choosing a program, figuring out careers, and imagining what life after graduation looks like can come with a lot of questions.

That's exactly what Bridge to Campus mentors are for.

Your mentor is a university student who has recently gone through many of the same decisions you're beginning to face. They can share their experiences, give you a different

perspective, and help you learn about opportunities you may not have encountered before.

Not sure what to ask? Here are 20 questions to get the conversation started.

About University

1. What made you choose your university?

   Learn what factors made your mentor choose their university, and whether or not it was their first choice.

2. How did you decide what to study?

   Your mentor's experience can help you think about your own interests and potential programs.

3. What is your program actually like?

   Ask about classes, assignments, labs, projects, and what a typical week looks like.

4. What is your favorite part of university?

   You may learn about something you haven’t considered, maybe a niche club or a cool research opportunity.

5. What was the hardest part about starting university?

   Your mentor has already gone through the hard part of university: the transition from high school.

   They can give you insights and tips to make your journey better.

Applying to University

1. What was the university application process like for you?

   Ask about researching schools, choosing programs, writing applications, and making decisions.

2. What do you wish you knew before applying?

   This can help you avoid some of the mistakes your mentor made or prepare for things they didn't expect.

3. How did you choose which universities or programs to apply to?

   There are many factors to consider, and your mentor can share how they approached the decision.

4. How did you pay for university?

   Your mentor may be able to share what they know about scholarships, bursaries, financial aid, work, and other resources.

5. What was your living arrangement?

   Ask about their experience and knowledge with first year residence, meal plans, off campus housing, roommates, commuting, and more.

Life Outside School

1. How did you make friends at university?

   Making friends can be one of the biggest concerns about starting somewhere new. Your mentor can share what worked for them.

2. What extracurriculars or clubs are you involved in?

   Learn about the different ways students can get involved outside of class.

3. How do you balance school with everything else?

   Ask how they manage academics, hobbies, work, friends, and other commitments.

   14.

4. What does a typical day look like for you?

   This can give you a realistic picture of what university life is actually like.

5. How did you manage your physical and mental health?

   Learn about how your mentor stayed physically and mentally healthy (or if they struggled, how they overcame it), and ask about what resources are available.

Thinking About Your Future

1. What career are you interested in pursuing?

   Learn how your mentor's university experience connects to their goals.

2. Did you always know what you wanted to study or do as a career?

   Spoiler: most people don't! Hearing how your mentor figured things out can make your own uncertainty feel more normal.

3. What skills have been most useful to you in university?

   You can start developing skills like communication, organization, teamwork, and problem-solving before you even graduate high school.

4. If you could give your high-school self one piece of advice, what would it be? Sometimes the simplest questions lead to the most useful answers.

5. Is there anything you think I should know before starting university?

   Leave some room for your mentor to share something you may not have thought to ask about.

There's No Such Thing as a "Bad" Question

Remember, you don't need to ask all 20 questions in your first meeting or at all. Use them as conversation starters and let the discussion develop naturally.

Your mentor doesn't have to have every answer either. If they don't know something, you can figure it out together or find someone who does.

Most importantly, be curious. Ask about the things you're excited about, the things you're nervous about, and even the things you don't know how to ask about yet.