Mentoring is a system of semi-structured guidance whereby one person shares their knowledge, skills and experience to assist others to progress in their own lives and careers. Mentors need to be readily accessible and prepared to offer help as the need arises – within agreed bounds.
Mentors very often have their own mentors, and in turn their mentees might wish to ‘put something back’ and become mentors themselves – it’s a chain for ‘passing on’ good practice so that the benefits can be widely spread..
Mentoring is more than ‘giving advice’, or passing on what your experience was in a particular area or situation. It’s about motivating and empowering the other person to identify their own issues and goals, and helping them to find ways of resolving or reaching them – not by doing it for them, or expecting them to ‘do it the way I did it’, but by understanding and respecting different ways of working.
Mentoring is not counseling or therapy – though the mentor may help the mentee to access more specialized avenues of help if it becomes apparent that this would be the best way forward.
An academic mentor is a positive role model of a successful student who supports their mentee by giving academic advice, sharing resources, and caring about their students’ success. Improve social skills: Make students better leaders by enabling them to relate to different kinds of people. Help them develop strong communication skills so they can handle any situation. … As a mentor, You can serve as a trusted confidante, helping a student work through day-to-day struggles.
As mentee
Being able to change/achieve your goals more quickly and effectively than working alone
Building a network of expertise to draw on can benefit both yourself and others
As mentor
Mentoring is voluntary but extremely rewarding, and can benefit own skills development and career progression
Mentor will:
- offer an outside perspective on development
- listen, confidentially, to the things that are worrying about profession
- Help to sharing their own experience of both failure and success.
- Give friendly, unbiased support.
- provide honest and constructive feedback
Tips for a Successful Mentor/Mentee Relationship
- Keep communications open. Mentee: Be up front. …
- Offer support. Mentee: Remember that your mentor is there for you, but is only a guide. …
- Define expectations. Mentee: Review your goals. …
- Maintain contact. Mentee: Be polite and courteous. …
- Be honest. …
- Actively participate. …
- Be innovative and creative. …
- Get to know each other.
MENTORING IN OUR COLLEGE
Programs for dealing with scholastic backwardness are identified poor performers and arranged the schedule for remedial classes. Mentors set their goals congruent with those of the syllabus and that they clearly define what students will do. Communicate these goals to their students. Focus not on “covering material” but rather encourage active learning among their students.
Classes are scheduled from December 2018 to July 2019. The classes are arranged during college hours (4-5pm). From each session maximum ten students are included. Mentors are mentioning explicitly that they expect students to participate and that they should feel free to make comments and ask questions. Provide ample opportunities for participation.
As per the schedule one week is given for one subject and respective mentor should conduct the remedial classes. The teaching and learning approaches include solving problems, discussing different perspectives, asking questions, answering questions and writing notes. At the end of each session a test is conducted. Through this test, check whether or not they have mastered concepts that have been covered already. Receiving praise for doing something well is highly motivating. Sincere praise from a mentor for insight, achievement, participation, or helpfulness is make our mentees feel good and more likely to move towards excellence.
5 Ways a Mentor Can Help a Student Succeed
The Value of a Mentor
A mentor is an experienced friend or confidant who is there to provide guidance and support in any number of ways and situations, including academically. Many of the world’s most successful business and world leaders credit mentors as key contributors to their success.
According to the National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR), studies have proven the positive impact that mentoring has on students. This includes greater self-esteem and social-emotional development benefits – all critical for making the most of academic and career goals.
“Children need positive relationships with caring adults,” according to a study on the benefits of mentoring conducted by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation. “Parents generally fill this central need, but many children benefit from relationships with other adults . . . Therefore, the mentoring of youth by adults is one of the more promising program approaches intended to promote positive youth outcomes.”
Doing Your Part as a Mentor
By becoming a mentor, you are doing your part to ensure that today’s students have the tools and support they need to succeed. Here are some ways you can help young people as a mentor:
- Improve social skills: Make student’s better leaders by enabling them to relate to different kinds of people. Help them develop strong communication skills so they can handle any situation.
- Bolster self-esteem: A mentor is someone who is always in a student’s corner. Be a champion. Believe in a young person. Recognize and celebrate his or her successes.
- Provide career exploration: Many mentors act as career counselors, helping students to brainstorm career possibilities, define career goals and establish action plans to reach professional goals. You can also be a great source of networking opportunities for students.
- Support academic activities: Depending on the circumstance, you can serve as an important academic tutor during the school year.
- Be a friend: Some students, especially the older ones, find it difficult to talk to their parents or friends about what’s on their mind. As a mentor, You can serve as a trusted confidante, helping a student work through day-to-day struggles.
There are many reasons to become a mentor. It’s a meaningful way to give back to your community. It’s the kind of giving that can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life