Call Us To Find Out More On 01463 630200
Group of mentees high fiving

24 Sep 25 Back to Mentoring After the Summer Break

Posted at 09:12h in General Mentoring by

September has rolled in (fast!), diaries are beginning to fill with new projects, lectures and renewed focus after the summer months. For many universities, charities, and businesses, this is also the moment mentoring programmes reawaken and it’s a golden opportunity to bring participants back together with energy and clarity.

The summer break can be a welcome pause, but without a structured restart, mentoring programmes can risk losing momentum. Mentors may have drifted into other priorities, mentees may have lost confidence or direction, and programme managers often feel the weight of getting everything “back on track.”

At sfG MentorNet, we know that September isn’t just about resuming where you left off… it’s about resetting, refreshing, and making the most of a new chapter.

In this article, we’ll explore why “back-to-mentoring season” matters and share a practical post-summer checklist to help programme managers, mentors, and mentees reconnect with confidence.

 

Why a Reset Matters After Summer

  • Natural pause in activity: Summer schedules, holidays, and academic calendars mean less frequent contact. Without a reset, relationships can stagnate.
  • Changing contexts: A mentee who finished their degree in June may now be starting a new role in September. Mentors, too, may be facing new work priorities.
  • Fresh energy: Just as schools and businesses often use September to launch initiatives, mentoring programmes can harness this momentum to strengthen engagement.

When done well, this seasonal restart can boost motivation and set a positive tone for the months ahead.

 

The Back-to-Mentoring Checklist

Whether you’re running a large-scale programme or supporting a handful of mentoring pairs, here’s a simple checklist to help re-establish connection, clarity, and purpose.

For Programme Managers

 

  • Send a Welcome Back Message
    Share a short update or newsletter to reconnect participants. Celebrate wins from earlier in the year, and remind them of what’s coming next.
  • Prompt Goal-Setting Conversations
    Encourage mentors and mentees to revisit their objectives. Provide simple templates or questions to guide them.
  • Update Your Resources
    Check that your programme guides, FAQs, or online resources are up to date before mentees and mentors dive back in.
  • Run a Reflection Survey
    Gather feedback from the first half of the year. This shows participants you value their input and helps you refine the programme moving forward.
  • Plan Ahead
    Use September to firm up dates for key workshops, training sessions, or end-of-year evaluations.

 

 For Mentors

  • Reconnect with Your Mentee
    Send a personal message or email. A simple “how was your summer?” opens the door to renewed conversation.
  • Review Previous Goals
    Reflect on what was achieved before the break, and what still needs attention.
  • Adapt to New Contexts
    If your mentee’s situation has changed (new job, new academic year, etc.), discuss how your mentoring can best support them now.
  • Be Flexible
    Acknowledge that September can be a busy month. Shorter, lighter sessions may work best until routines settle.

 

For Mentees

  • Take Initiative
    Reach out first to your mentor and suggest a meeting. Showing enthusiasm sets a positive tone.
  • Prepare Questions
    Use the break as a chance to reflect. What’s changed? What new challenges or opportunities are on your mind?
  • Revisit Your Goals
    Write down your top 2–3 priorities for the months ahead. Share these at your next session.
  • Bring Energy
    A new term or season is the perfect time to re-commit. Show your mentor you’re ready to engage.

 

Making September Count

The goal isn’t just to “pick up where you left off”, it’s to build momentum for the months ahead. A strong September sets up a smoother autumn and a successful year-end review.

At sfG MentorNet, we’ve seen programmes use this time of year to:

  • Celebrate progress: acknowledging wins, big or small, motivates everyone involved.
  • Reinforce community: reminding participants they’re part of something bigger prevents isolation.
  • Offer practical tools: from reflection prompts to reminders, the right support makes re-engagement easier.

 

How sfG MentorNet Can Support You

Our platform is designed to make re-engagement simple and stress-free for programme managers. With features like:

  • Reminders to help mentors and mentees restart conversations.
  • Built-in surveys and customisable feedback tools to capture insights.
  • Resource-sharing spaces so programme managers can update participants with guides and templates.
  • Secure messaging to make that first post-summer “hello” quick and easy.

By reducing the admin load, we help programme leaders focus on what really matters: keeping people engaged and moving forward.

 

Final Thoughts

This September, take the time to reconnect, refresh goals, and celebrate progress. Whether you’re a programme manager sending out that first newsletter, a mentor scheduling a catch-up, or a mentee setting new priorities, each small step strengthens the mentoring relationship.

Remember: September isn’t just “back to business.” It’s a chance to set the tone for the rest of the year. Let’s make it count.

Tags: