Blog
Peer Mentoring at New York College: A Journey of Growth, Connection, and Belonging
Educator's Reflection
New York College Athens launched its Peer Mentoring Programme in the spring semester of the academic year 2023-2024, bringing together students in a structured yet deeply human exchange of experience and support. At the heart of the initiative were the mentors-students who volunteered their time, shared their stories, and offered guidance to peers navigating the challenges of college life.
Under the coordination of the programme's trainer, mentors and mentees met regularly to build connections that went far beyond academic advice. The programme proved that some of the most meaningful learning happens not in lecture halls, but in honest conversations between people who are willing to show up for one another.
Identity and Sense of Belonging in Student Life
Student life is not just an academic experience, but a time of deep personal transition, search, and identity formation. It's a transition. Along with knowledge, new friendships and challenges, an internal question often arises: "Do I belong here?" In this way, it becomes necessary to answer the question, why "belonging" matters so much.
Why Study Psychology?
There are many good reasons to study Psychology. It is a very popular field due to the current demand for mental health experts. It is a well-established choice for Bachelor studies because of the excellent career prospects offered to psychology graduates, due to their wide range of transferrable skills of problem solving, critical thinking, interpersonal skills and research skills. Studying psychology leads to an evidence-based understanding of yourself, other individuals and group behaviour.
Positive Campus Culture Creating a Safe and Respectful Academic Community
In the dynamic field of higher education, fostering a positive campus culture is not only desirable but essential for academic excellence and holistic student development. The university campus is a place for learning, expression, mutual respect and personal growth. But it is also a microcosm of society, with its beauty and challenges. Among these, certain behaviors emerge that have no place in an academic community, such as bullying, sarcasm, passive aggression, and social exclusion (Rankin & Blumenfeld, 2013). Sometimes these behaviors are obvious. Other times, they are more subtle and sometimes hidden behind humor or indifferent comments. But their impact is just as real and very significant, especially in school or student communities (Sue, 2010).
Navigating Young Adulthood: Identity, Resilience, and Flourishing in Academic Life
The Journey of Becoming: Young Adulthood and Identity Challenges
According to Erikson’s (1968) theory of psychosocial development, young adults grapple with identity versus role confusion, striving to establish their place in the world. This phase is further complicated by academic stress, shifting relationships, and career uncertainties, necessitating resilience, self-efficacy, and relational adaptability.
What is the role of research in the field of Psychology?
Psychology is a vast and multifaceted field that encompasses various research methodologies, each contributing to a deeper understanding of human behavior and mental processes. While many people associate psychology research primarily with quantitative and qualitative methods, it is essential to recognize that psychological investigations also extend to experimental methods and psychometric assessments, among other techniques (Haslam et al., 2024).
Breaking Barriers: Supporting Mental Health in Stigmatised Communities
Mental health is a vital aspect of people’s lives. Access to mental health care can be challenging for everyone. Long waiting lists, unavailability of counsellors, stigma surrounding mental health treatment, time constraints, and the cost of therapy often create invisible barriers that prevent individuals from seeking therapy. However, these barriers can be even more pronounced for stigmatised minority groups such as refugees, LGBTQI+ individuals, and women. Consider the case of LGBTQI+ individuals: a recent systematic review analysing findings from 26 studies reported that the impacts of prejudice, expectations of prejudice, living a closeted life, and internalised stigma extend beyond mental health, adversely affecting physical health, immunity, risk of suicide, HIV, cardiovascular health, metabolic issues, cancer, and hormonal outcomes for over 50 per cent of the participants. (Flentje et al., 2020)
