Academic Progress
Mentoring Session
A mentoring session is a regular, informal conversation between a student and a mentor, who may be an older student, an alumnus, a teacher or a professional. Unlike a progress review, the aim is not to assess but to listen, share experience and help the student think about their own path. These questions give the conversation a clear shape, from how the student feels to the actions they choose to take.
18 questions
When to use this template
- At the start of a mentoring relationship, to get to know each other and agree on what the student hopes to get from it.
- At regular intervals, for example every two to four weeks, to keep a sense of continuity and progress.
- Before a key moment, such as exams, an internship search, a choice of specialisation or an application.
Questions to ask
Getting to know each other
- 01How are you today, and how has your week been?
- 02What made you want to have a mentor?
- 03What are you studying, and what drew you to it?
- 04What do you enjoy doing outside your studies?
Goals and ambitions
- 05Where would you like to be a year from now?
- 06What would make this semester a success for you?
- 07Which skill would you most like to develop?
- 08Is there a path or a job that attracts you, even if you are not sure yet?
Challenges and obstacles
- 09What is taking most of your energy at the moment?
- 10What is stopping you from moving forward on something that matters to you?
- 11Is there a situation where you doubted yourself recently?
- 12How do you usually react when something does not go as planned?
Resources and strengths
- 13What are you proud of since we last spoke?
- 14Who around you supports you, in your studies or in your life?
- 15What do you think you do well, even if it seems ordinary to you?
Action and next steps
- 16What would you like to try before our next session?
- 17What would help you to get started?
- 18What would you like to talk about next time?
Tips for a useful conversation
- Listen more than you advise: a mentor is not there to give solutions but to help the student find their own.
- Share your own experience, including mistakes and doubts, so the student sees that a path is rarely straight.
- Ask for permission before giving advice, for example “Would you like my opinion on this?”, so the student remains in charge.
- Keep short notes of what was said and the actions agreed, and start the next session by looking back at them.
- If the student talks about serious difficulties, such as distress, health problems or money worries, listen without trying to solve them yourself and encourage them to contact the institution's support services.
Mistakes to avoid
- Turning the session into a monologue about your own career.
- Giving advice before understanding the student's situation.
- Imposing your own choices on the student, instead of helping them weigh theirs.
- Cancelling or postponing sessions often, which weakens trust.
Let Passisto Students hold these conversations
The AI agent holds regular voice check-ins with your students and flags those who need help, so advisors can act early.