How to Be A Great Mentor on TalkShop

5 Ways to Give Students the Best Possible Experience

Every session on TalkShop is a chance to make a real impact. The students who book time with you are often trying to make big decisions about their future—where to go to college, what to major in, and what campus life is really like. They’re looking for honesty, clarity, and guidance from someone who’s been there.

Here are five ways to make your sessions stand out and help every student get the most out of their time with you.

1. Be Professional and On Time

You represent yourself—and the entire TalkShop community—every time you meet a student. Show up on time, dress appropriately, and treat the conversation like a job. After all, they are paying you for your time!

A student who’s nervous about this call should feel that they’re talking to someone who takes them seriously. Being professional builds trust, and trust is what makes mentorship work.

2. Be Prepared and Responsive

Preparation starts before the call. Take a few minutes to review your mentee’s notes, read their questions, and look over their profile. Doing your homework shows respect for their time and ensures you can give better answers.

If a student messages you before the session, try to reply as soon as possible—even a short “Got it, see you soon,” goes a long way. Being responsive helps create a smoother, more confident experience for both sides.

Note: you are not expected to carry out full conversations over messages. Messaging is only meant for meeting prep and clarifications.

3. Ask Good Questions and Listen Actively

Great mentors don’t just share their own stories—they draw out the mentee’s story, too. Ask open-ended questions like:

• “What’s been the hardest part about choosing schools so far?”

• “What kind of social life are you hoping for on campus?

• “Can you think of any dealbreakers about a school?”

Then listen carefully. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk. Take notes, mirror what they’re saying, and show that you understand. If a mentee is struggling to provide their input, try talking about how you approached things and how you uncovered your own preferences.

Good listening leads to better advice because you’re tailoring your answers to their real needs.

4. Be Direct and Honest

Students come to you for real answers, not rehearsed ones. As a rule: direct questions deserve direct answers. If you have a long-winded answer, try starting with the TLDR version at the start. Answer the question, then explain your answer without going too far down a rabbit hole unless the student is pressing for more context.

If a student asks, “Is your school as social as people say?” or “Would you choose your major again?”—be honest. You’re not here to sell your school. You’re here to help someone figure out if it’s the right fit for them.

It’s okay to share the ups and downs of your experience. Being candid builds credibility, and honesty is what makes TalkShop different from everything else out there.

5. Stay Focused and Keep It About Them

Students value clarity. Don’t ramble or go off on tangents—keep your answers tight and relevant. The best sessions feel like conversations with purpose, not lectures.

Use the notes the student provided to focus on what matters most to them. Stay present. Listen. Respond. Try to remember that the entire purpose of the conversation is to give your mentee clarity and support 

The most memorable mentors are the ones who make students feel heard, supported, and more confident about their next step

The Bottom Line

Being a great mentor isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being prepared, professional, and human. Every session you lead helps a student make one of the biggest decisions of their life with a little more clarity—and that’s a big deal.

At TalkShop, our goal is simple: help students make smarter choices and feel more confident about their future. You’re the reason that’s possible!

Safety, Boundaries, and Professionalism

Your safety, comfort, and professionalism matter just as much as the support you give students. Every session on TalkShop should feel respectful and safe for both sides, and we’ll always back you up if something doesn’t feel right.

If Something Feels Off, You Don’t Need to Engage

If a student says or does anything that is inappropriate or makes you uncomfortable, you do not need to respond. You can end the conversation immediately, leave the call, and report the session to our support team. We’ll review it, handle the situation, and follow up with you directly.

You never have to sit through something that doesn’t feel okay.

Examples of Inappropriate Behavior

These are some examples of behavior that you should not tolerate in a session:

• Sexual or suggestive comments

• Harassment or disrespectful language

• Personal questions that cross boundaries

• Requests to connect outside the platform for unprofessional reasons

• Attempts to move the conversation to social media or private messaging

• Pressure to share your location, phone number, or private information

• Aggressive, disruptive, or abusive behavior

• Anything unrelated to academic, college, or career guidance that feels intrusive or uncomfortable

If any of this happens, end the call and report it. We will take care of the rest.

You Are Not a Therapist or Counselor

TalkShop mentors provide perspective, experience, and practical guidance—not mental health or crisis support. If a student brings up something serious, emotional, or outside your role—such as anxiety, depression, family issues, or anything that sounds like they need professional help—you can respond with clarity and compassion:

“I’m here to help with college and career questions, but this sounds like something a school counselor or trusted adult should help with. I can ask the TalkShop team to follow up so you get the right support.”

Let us know immediately and we will take it from there. You are never expected to handle situations outside your scope.

We’re Here to Support You

You’re not doing this alone. The TalkShop team is always here to help—whether it’s reviewing a session, guiding you through a tricky situation, or stepping in when something feels off. Your well-being is a priority.

Every mentor deserves a safe, professional environment. Every student deserves a safe, professional experience. If anything threatens that, say something—we’ll back you 100%.

Scripted Statements in Response to Inappropriate Behavior

If a student says or does something inappropriate, here are a few phrases you can use:

For general inappropriate or uncomfortable behavior

“I’m not comfortable answering that question.”

“I’m not comfortable continuing this conversation. I’m ending the call and will notify the TalkShop team.”

If the student crosses personal boundaries

“I’m not comfortable with that question/comment.”

“I’m ending the session now and will follow up with TalkShop support.”

If the student tries to move the conversation off-platform for unprofessional reasons.

“I can’t connect outside of TalkShop. We’re required to stay on this platform.”

If they reveal something that suggests immediate safety concerns (but not crisis-level)

(Not mental health counseling — but inappropriate oversharing or concerning content.)

“I’m sorry you’re going through that, but unfortunately I’m not able to help with this topic.” 

“I’m going to end the session and let the TalkShop team follow up with you.”

Closing line you can add after any script:

“For your safety and mine, I need to stop the session here.”

“Please reach out to the TalkShop support team if you have questions about this.”

For any questions or issues, please never hesitate to reach out to support@talkshop.io

Thank you for being an essential part of our community!