The Freshmen Befrienders programme is an annual on-boarding initiative that enables senior students to provide effective befriending support for new students as they embark on their SUSS journey. The Befrienders work closely with the Office of Student Life to organise and conduct networking sessions to acclimatise new students to the school’s environment and build meaningful relationships within the SUSS community. Each befriender will be assigned to a group of freshmen from the same major.
The role of a Befriender is as follows:
- Be the first point of contact for their freshmen group
- Answer queries from freshmen or direct them to the right support channels
- Provide peer support for their freshmen group to help them settle into SUSS
- Maintain regular contact with their freshmen group during the on-boarding period
- Attend and conduct activities for their freshmen group on Orientation Day and during the Freshmen Networking Sessions
- Be a good representative of SUSS
Befrienders are provided in-house training to equip them with the basic tools and techniques to help them carry out the befriending role effectively. Every Befriender is also assigned to a staff mentor who will be supporting them throughout the on-boarding period.
Freshmen attempting a Creative Photo challenge.
During one of the Freshmen Networking Sessions conducted via Zoom.
During one of the Freshmen Networking Sessions conducted via Zoom.
Group photo with some of the 2021 Befrienders and OST staff mentors
We welcome all students to apply as a Befriender! Look out for the recruitment drive in the first quarter of every year via email, Student Portal, Befrienders’ Instagram and Office of Student Life’s Telegram Channel.