Are you a student who could use some support or do you feel inspired to support a fellow student who needs a helping hand? Then contact the Student Buddy Programme of TU Delft. Below, two buddy pairs describe their experiences. “It is so good to be able to talk about my problems with a fellow student.”
Buddy Maarten (photo right) and Kenley met weekly. (Photo: Thijs van Reeuwijk)
“I had a difficult situation at home, and have been going to therapy since I was 11,” explained Kenley, a bachelor student of aerospace engineering (18). “So I was already having trouble aligning that with my study programme. That’s when the buddy programme was recommended to me.” He was matched with a buddy, Maarten, a master student of aerospace engineering (25), who responded to the request on Brightspace.
Talking about plans and problems
Maarten and Kenley met weekly. “Usually for about an hour, sometimes less, sometimes a bit more,” said Maarten. “As a buddy, you are there to listen. In one meeting, we might talk about study-related issues, and the next time about Kenley’s personal difficulties. I remembered the typical challenges that I faced in my first year: the transition from school to university, having trouble with planning, the higher tempo, the many subjects.” “It is so good to be able to talk about my problems with a fellow student,” added Kenley. “We hit it off right from the start, and Maarten did the same study.”
What is the buddy programme?
In the Student Buddy Programme, students who need some support are matched to a fellow student, a buddy. “For example, they could be students with autism, ADHD or mental problems,” explained student counsellor Ellen van Veen, coordinator of the programme. “They are informed of this option by study advisers, student psychologists or they come across us themselves.” This year, the buddy programme has been included in a new Start Programme for students with a need for support. New buddies are trained in how to support someone. They are all volunteers and are given a certificate once they complete their training.
Looking for a buddy?
At the moment, applications to become a buddy are not being accepted, student counsellor Van Veen informed us. “Right now, we primarily want to reach students who could use a buddy.” Are you looking for a buddy? Then request one using this form.
Maarten is graduating this month and therefore will stop being a buddy. Kenley would like to have a new buddy, especially because he is repeating his first year. “Because I go to therapy three times a week, it was not possible to attend all the courses. And the department does not record the lectures.” Maarten encourages students to consider becoming a buddy. “Don’t worry about there being really high expectations of you, it’s okay if you don’t know something. Ask the student what they need. If you have an hour to spare, do it!”
‘If you have an hour to spare, do it’
Our second buddy pair, Lyam (21, just graduated as bachelor of mechanical engineering) and his buddy Sam (24, recently graduated student of mathematics), also met weekly. They were together for three years. “I saw the call for new buddies and it appealed to me,” is how Sam explained his participation. “Just chatting, looking at planning together or whatever. You are coaching someone while they are studying. It’s really easy to start, you can help people by devoting just one hour a week.”
Difficulty seeing the overview
Lyam has been diagnosed with autism. He has difficulty seeing the overview and benefits from structure. “I was looking for someone who could help me with study planning, making an overview of deadlines and especially being a permanent contact person. A buddy was one of the options.” He talked about how he did not dare ask for help at first. “But I evidently needed it. In the beginning, Sam helped me primarily with planning, later he supported me with other problems, and we also chatted about our interests. It was great that he already had experience with studying. Without Sam, I probably would not have been able to complete my bachelor’s degree in three years.”
Lyam advises students not to wait too long before asking for help. “The longer you put it off, the worse you feel. Agree to meet at set times in a nice place and do not cancel!”
‘You have to remain calm when someone tells you emotional stories’
Being a buddy is something that has to suit you, Sam feels. “You will encounter people with particular issues, could be anything. You have to be able to deal with that, you have to remain calm when someone tells you emotional stories.” He was able to turn to friends when he heard a difficult story. “Or you can turn to the study adviser if it was something confidential that you did not want to share with friends.”
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