“ MENTORING How to be a great student mentor Fenetta Agyemang

Mentors are people who, through their action and work help others to achieve their potential" (Shea, G.F. Mentoring; a guide to basics 1992) A mentor is someone that supports and encourages people. Helps boost performance and is of very good use to people. A mentor aids development, whether that be physical or mentally and is often a person empowering another to strive in whatever they want to. Mentors provide a personal relationship with whoever they are mentoring, and are usually more knowledgeable and experienced in their field of work. As a third year student, we often see the first and second year students struggling with work that we used to struggle with, trying to find a balance between doing their coursework and drinking vodka, and generally not getting used to the work/work load and as human beings, when we see someone struggling, our first human instinct, is to want to help people, especially if you think it is for the best.

THAT IS WHERE STUDENT MENTORS COME IN… Not only can student mentors aid the personal development of a student, they can also teach students in areas they’re more knowledgeable in and experienced in. Mentoring level 1 students (peer mentoring) allows the peer mentee to seek advice/help and mentoring from something that has “been there, done that”.

Mentoring is a learning relationship based on encouragement, constructive comments, openness, mutual trust, respect, and a willingness to learn and share.

A GOOD MENTOR Has a willingness to share skills, knowledge and expertise. A good mentor should always want to show and teach you any skills they have that they think may be of benefit to you. They should be able to sympathise with you, putting themselves in your shoes to remember what it was like as a mentee starting out. A good mentor will be patient and understanding and understands that good mentoring takes time and commitment, commitment that they are willing to share with a mentee in order to support them in their development.

A GOOD MENTOR Becomes a positive role model. A mentee should be willing to listen and understand their mentor, and positive attitudes generally inspire positivity around them. A good mentor should be positive. They should show the attributes it takes to do well and be productive in the field. The mentee should be willing to learn from their mentor.

A GOOD PEER MENTOR Provides feedback and constructive criticisms. A good mentor will know the difference between providing criticisms and providing CONSTRUCTIVE criticisms. They should remember what it was like starting in the field and should always inform their mentee on ways in which they can improve in their field. A good mentor is enthusiastic in their field. A good mentor would want to show you how much fun you can have in your field. They want to make it less tedious and more enjoyable, and the more enthusiastic they appear to be and are, the more the mentee will enjoy in their field, learning from the mentor and having them as a mentor.

A GOOD MENTOR Someone you can talk to in times of need. They are friendly, but not a friend. Professional stances should be taken. Is a problem solver – Can offer solutions to any problems or queries you may have An Advisor – Offers you advice and help on your problems A confidante – Offers a level of confidentiality

MENTORING SKILLS Mentors must acquire many skills. These skills do not all have to be about teaching physical skills, but can simply be the act of listening and helping someone on a personal development level. Helping students mental development, as well as academic. Always having an action plan should be something a mentor should have. Problem-solving and resolution skills Identifying weak-points and helping to involve on them and gain confidence on them.

BOUNDARIES TO STUDENT MENTORING Mentees may often just need someone to talk to. Whether about work, or their personal life, they may just need a ear to speak into, so here is where a student mentor is useful. The skill of a student mentor is to be able to speak and be spoken to, so when the mentee has a problem, however personal it may be, the mentor should be able to offer an agreement of confidentiality. Mentors should also have a agreement of confidentiality with their mentee, so mentors should feel that it is important to establish a relationship of trust by committing to mutual confidentiality.

KEY POINTS Peer mentoring is a professional relationship between between a more experienced and more knowledgeable peer. Peer mentoring helps boost confidence and helps both the mentor and the mentee when it comes to both personal and academic development. Can be a good way to aide mutual growth Has boundaries/rules that need to be respected and followed.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I’ve had experience as both the mentee and the mentor, so I can shine light on both ends of the spectrum. When I was a mentee, I was eager for knowledge and to learn to do things that the more experienced mentors knew how to do. Now that I’m a mentor, I try to share as much as I can with my mentor. Whether that is stories of my own experience as a mentee, or how to set up a tripod, I wanted my mentee to learn as much from me. I also learned from my mentor as well. It’s a never ending cycle of learning and teaching, and that’s why I enjoyed mentoring so much.