Joining a live session

The session is approved, it's on your calendar, and the start time is near. Here's how to actually get in the room.

5–10 minutes before

1. Go to My Bookings (dashboard → My Bookings) or click the "Join session" link from your calendar invite.
2. Click "Join session". The button is only live 15 minutes before start; before that it shows a countdown.
3. Your browser opens Zoom (or the native player depending on the session type). First-time Zoom users get prompted to install the Zoom app or join in-browser.
4. Check audio and video before joining. Zoom's pre-join screen lets you test your mic, camera, and speakers.

Audio/video checklist

• Headphones (not laptop speakers) — prevents echo.
• Quiet space — not a cafe, not next to traffic.
• Good lighting — face the light source, don't sit with a window behind you.
• Stable internet — wired beats wireless every time. If you're on wifi, sit close to the router.
• Close other apps using camera/mic (Loom, Meet, FaceTime). Otherwise Zoom may grab the wrong device.

If your camera/mic doesn't work

Most problems fall into three buckets:

• Browser blocked permissions — look for a camera icon in the URL bar; click it and select "Allow".
• Another app is using the device — close Loom/Meet/FaceTime/Teams and refresh.
• Wrong device selected — Zoom's audio menu has a device picker. Switch to the one you actually want.

During the session

• Mute yourself when not talking — even small background noise is distracting.
• Video on — sessions go better when both sides can see each other.
• Share your screen — especially for code, design, or documents. Click "Share screen" in the Zoom bottom bar.
• Chat for links — paste URLs in the chat panel so you both have them.
• Ask for the chat transcript at the end — Zoom can download it.

If the connection drops

1. Close Zoom entirely, re-open from the "Join session" link.
2. If it happens twice in 5 minutes, switch networks if you can (phone hotspot, different wifi).
3. If it's really unworkable, ask the mentor to reschedule. Both sides can usually accommodate.

If the mentor doesn't join

Wait 10 minutes past the start time. If they haven't shown, open a support ticket from the session page. Confirmed mentor no-shows get auto-refunded.

After the session

• You'll be prompted to leave a review within 7 days. Be specific and honest — reviews help future mentees.
• Your purchase history still shows the session and lets you download an invoice.
• Any resources the mentor shared (files, code, links) will be in your Resources section in the dashboard.

Related

• "Booking your first session" — pre-session flow
• "Video or audio not working" — deeper troubleshooting
• "Leaving reviews" — the review flow