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Sometimes a guru gives a student a mantra specific to him or her, but often a universal one that you might have chosen yourself. Om Namah Shivaya is a universal mantra, as is Om itself. Gayatri and Mahamrityunjaya are universal as well but a bit long.

If you are given a mantra, you are stuck with it, and if you stick with it you will get more benefit from it. You should also not tell anyone else what it is - even if it is a universal one. This DOES make a difference, which you will appreciate after you have used the mantra daily for a few months.

Chopping and changing mantras for japa purposes (counting rounds, using a mala) is counterproductive. If you choose your own you are more likely to change it because you are bored with it or are encountering resistance - as was my experience - its very fine now though.

It can also represent the first initiation by a guru, but just asking for a mantra is also fine. A genuine guru should ask nothing from you in return, certainly not a lot of money - perhaps a donation is ok, but mine was free.

Its absolutely fine to choose a universal mantra for yourself - just stick with it, though.

Amma would be a good source, if she visits near you. I noticed last time there was a queue for mantras. There's a bit of a circus round her, but she personally is the real deal.

http://www.amritapuri.org/amma/who/darshan/

Gayatri is a lovely mantra, as you'll know if you are chanting it.

I go to one group class a week. To start, we chant Gayatri 11 times, Mahamrityunjaya 11 times and Om 11 times. We finish with Om x3 and Shantipath x 1.

The space has been chanted in for many years and feels like it.