In the L.I.S. student space of Lviv Polytechnic National University, a training session for tutors dedicated to the role of tutoring support in the university environment took place. The event brought together active students and future tutors who aimed to deepen their understanding of first-year student support mechanisms and develop practical skills for effective interaction with the student community.

The training program was structured as a combination of a theoretical block and intensive practical work. At the beginning, participants became familiar with the key principles of tutoring support — in particular, the role of the tutor as a guide for first-year students in a new educational environment, a facilitator of adaptation, and an intermediary between the student and the university system. Ethical principles of tutoring, the boundaries of the tutor’s responsibility, and the specifics of building trust-based communication were also discussed. An important part of the training focused on developing communication competencies. Participants worked on active listening techniques, formulating open-ended questions, providing supportive feedback, and practicing nonviolent communication. The trainer emphasized that the quality of communication often determines the success of first-year adaptation far more than formal informational meetings.

The practical block generated particular interest among the audience. Future tutors completed situational exercises and worked with case studies that modeled typical first-year challenges: confusion in a new environment, difficulties with academic workload, problems with self-organization, and social integration. Participants practiced support algorithms, learned how to respond appropriately to student requests, and determined when it is necessary to involve other university services.

The training was conducted by Nataliia Bokla, Head of the Tutoring and Mentoring Center of Lviv Polytechnic. She shared practical experience in implementing the tutoring model at the university, outlined common mistakes made by novice tutors, and emphasized the importance of a systematic approach to supporting first-year students. According to her, effective tutoring is not a one-time consultation but a long-term сопровід that helps students develop learning autonomy and confidence in their abilities.

Participants also discussed real cases from university practice, asked questions about organizing the first meeting with tutees, maintaining communication throughout the semester, and balancing support with the development of student independence. The lively discussion demonstrated a high level of interest in the topic and the student community’s readiness to engage in a culture of mentorship.

The event was held within the framework of the EU Erasmus+ project — Proment “Promoting Professional Education and Active Student Participation through the Establishment of a Comprehensive Mentoring and Tutoring System in Higher Education Institutions.” The completed training became an important step in developing the institutional student support system at Lviv Polytechnic and confirmed the demand for building a professional community of tutors.

Such initiatives demonstrate the gradual transition of the university environment from a purely academic model to a student-centered approach, where alongside professional knowledge, increasing importance is given to support, mentoring, and the development of soft skills. It is precisely these practices that form a more resilient, engaged, and responsible student community.