Well, I hoped everyone enjoyed our class last week. I would like to thank each one of you for really opening up and sharing during both of our go arounds. I really think it was very beneficial. It let us all know more about who we all are, and where we come from. Asking those types of questions next year will hopefully have the same effect inside your own classes.
Next fall the incoming freshman are going to be going through a lot of changes in their lives. They are no longer living at home, some of them will know almost nobody at ISU, and their classes are structured differently than in high school. They will be meeting new people and will have to establish who they are. Some of the students will have never taken the time to stop and think about whom they are, and what has made them into that person. It is our responsibility to, at the very least, make them aware of the concept of self-awareness. We can ask all the questions we want, but in the end it is up to them to stop and reflect upon their lives.
The best way I found last year to inspire thought on this subject is to talk about our own lives, and the things that have made us who we are. This will hopefully open their eyes, and they will take time to evaluate who they are and where they want to go. The best advice I can give as a returning mentor is, just be there for your students. I have had a couple of students who have come to me with concerns about things, some school related and other non-school related. This is where our jobs are most important. We are roughly 2-3 year older than them, and have experienced some of the things they will be going through. They may turn to you for advice, and you need to be there for them when they do.
Another activity I did last year was for them to make goals for what they want to do their freshman year, as well as during their time at ISU. I feel like this really helped some students. Most of them took time to really think about what they wanted to get out of college. However, be ready for anything. This goes for the entire semester. I had one student who said something to the extent of, I am doing fine in my life right now, and I feel like I don’t need to change anything until things are not fine. Therefore he didn’t need goals. So, like I said be ready for anything. You never know what will happen over the course of a semester.
I will see everyone tomorrow at class!
I agree with your insight and approach to helping your mentees open up about open ut themselves. If you are willing to open up about personal things in your life, your mentees will be more willing to open up in order for you to help them through their adjustment to their new college experience. Great class last week! I thouroughly enjoyed how we all got closer as mentors by opening up about our past experiences.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to open up to other people and talk about the struggles or hard times in your life. Sometimes makes things easier and it makes you closer to the people you are talking to. I thank everyone for opening up! Good post!
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