Go to the University of Toronto home page
Go to Student Life homepage
Feeling distressed? Click for help
Structural pattern of white triangles
Photo: Matej from pexels.com

Mentorship Foundations Training

Mentorship & Peer Programs Foundations Training is a 6-hour program to help you get the most out of your peer support experience by building your definition of leadership, identifying strengths and finding a community of peers on campus! This program will prepare you to serve as a mentor or peer advisor in a peer support role.

The training covers topics that are common to peer mentors and advisors across the University of Toronto, St. George campus.

This is a CCR eligible program.

Training options

Please note the difference between synchronous and asynchronous sessions:

Synchronous sessions are hosted both virtually and in-person for 2026-2027. Asynchronous sessions are take-home activities that you can do on your own time.

Boundaries in Your Peer Support Relationship (2 hours)

  • You will identify and learn how to communicate boundaries.
  • You will practice setting boundaries in common peer support scenarios.

Creating an Inclusive Environment – Mandatory for CCR (2 hours)

  • You will define an inclusive environment/relationship.
  • You will discuss inclusive strategies that peer supports can use in their mentorship/leadership roles.

One-on-One Communication and Building Relationships (2 hours)

  • You will learn about policies regarding confidentiality.
  • You will practice active, mindful, and empathetic listening with other participants in the workshop.
  • You will learn how to support your peers by giving advice and sharing experiences.

Academic Skills Starter Kit (2 hours)

  • You will try questioning and active listening techniques.
  • You will learn five major strategies to foster academic success.
  • You will formulate personalized and suitable suggestions for students to try out.

The Mentoring Relationship (30 minutes)

  • You will learn the scope of the mentoring relationship

Identify, Assist, Refer (30 minutes)

  • You will learn how to support individuals experiencing significant challenges to their mental health.

Knowing Your Resources (1 hour)

  • You will demonstrate how to find an appropriate resource/referral to meet the needs of mentees.

Building Rapport Online (1 hour)

  • You will learn why it is important for mentors to develop rapport building skills in online settings.

Creating Group Intentions (30 minutes)

  • You will learn the importance of setting intentions, either in a partnership or in a group setting.
  • You will learn how to set intentions and the importance of communicating expectations.