The LSE community is so important right now, and there’s lots of students who are going the extra mile for their peers. Meet Ibrahim Enes-Oztur (LLB Law, 2022) who volunteered as an Off Campus Support Mentor with the Student Support Centre.

What volunteering were you involved in?

Hello all! My name is Ibrahim, a penultimate year law student. I joined the Off Campus Support Scheme as a mentee in first year because I thought staying off campus can present challenges when I attend university, and that the Scheme may ‘level the playing field’ for me. I met like-minded students, made friends with them and we shared how we felt about living off campus. It was a small and informal group, which was advantageous for making new friends, and it felt uplifting. The mentor provided us with support and guidance on a range of different topics, from making the most of life at LSE to managing our workload while living off campus.  I was inspired to apply to become an Off Campus Support Scheme mentor midway through my first year, after attending a volunteering fair.

What skills did you develop through volunteering and how did you manage your role with your studies

My motivations to become a mentor were not only to personally develop myself, but also to help new LSE students living off campus, who were in the same position as I was in my first year.  Since becoming an Off Campus Support Scheme  mentor, I have arranged Zoom meetings with my mentees and have emailed them with advice and guidance on what to expect from university and studying law, how to approach lectures, classes and academic articles, where to buy academic books for the most suitable price, and so on.

I have also enjoyed the responsibility of being a mentor and balancing this with my studies, because although my studies continue to challenge me, I have developed my communication, presentation, time-management, and leadership skills despite these challenges.

How did volunteering change your LSE experience?

Volunteering has made my LSE experience more enjoyable. I feel like I have done my part for the student community. The added benefit of mentoring is that I have completed volunteering work during my university years, which stands out to employers and strengthens any form of application.

For more information about the Off Campus Support Scheme and how to apply to become a mentor, visit: lse.ac.uk/offcampussupportschemementor. Applications close on Monday 1 March.