The idea of being a peer mentor is one I really like, but I don't think I fully know what being a peer mentor truly means. I will probably look back on this post in a couple months and realize I still currently have no clue. From our first class and the first two chapters of the book I have already learned so much!
A peer mentor is someone who has been selected to help other students attain their goals, whether academically or as a person. Peer mentors are there to guide, help, assist and point peers in the right direction. One important job they have is to know where to draw the line between their knowledge and someone else's. They must be aware of the fact that to give adequate assistance to a student might mean to point them in the direction of a professional helper. This is something I hadn't even thought of before reading the book.
In chapter two I found myself relating a lot to the challenges they had listed. There weren't very many that I hadn't experienced. While going through these lists I remembered my class last year and how much my peer mentors support helped me through them. I see now that they had to be prepared for their roles as peer mentors and they had more responsibilities than I would have ever imagined. I hope we all can have as big of an impact on our students as my peer mentors, and I'm sure many others, had on me and others.
I have tips for helping and tips for being a good peer educator marked in my book to go back to, which I'm sure I will many times before this semester is up. The book says a little bit of knowledge in a lot of places is a key factor to a foundation but the knowledge means nothing if you cannot communicate it well to others. There are a lot of skills needed to be an effective peer educator and while that's an intimidating idea, it is also a very exciting one. I am very excited for this semester and all the chances to grow as a class and individually!
I agree with you Chris that sometimes adequate assistance to a student might mean to point them in the right direction of a professional. I think even if we do think we have some good advice for our students it might not be a bad idea to give them some contact information for a professional additionally, in case we didn't fully answer their concern, or they're more comfortable with somebody who they don't see them on a weekly basis.
ReplyDeleteI have marked pages in my book as well. I love looking back at the randoms things that stood out to me the first time I read through something. "The book says a little bit of knowledge in a lot of places is a key factor to a foundation but the knowledge means nothing if you cannot communicate it well to others." <-- is a perfect example! great one to remember.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your first post :) I do have to say the part I liked the most was in the last paragraph when you talked about having just a little knowledge in alot of places is sufficient. However, knowledge is nothing if we do not know how to communicate it efficiently. I think that statement is so true. I think these first few chapters were very helpful for us as peer mentors, and just like you I am excited to learn a lot in this course through the semester.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with your statement that "The idea of being a peer mentor is one I really like, but I don't think I fully know what being a peer mentor truly means. I will probably look back on this post in a couple months and realize I still currently have no clue." It's really hard to know exactly what we will have to face in a few months when we are set loose to guide the 2012 Hixsons. It will seem very daunting but the helpful hints marked within the readings(I'm going to try and use my blog as a running notes page to remember important passages, quotes, ideas and philosophies)will be great to reflect back on.
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