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Become a Mentor in Higher Education


Mentoring in Higher Education

Mentoring in higher education has received a great deal of recent attention, even as students continue to search for ways to reduce costs and obtain more credits. Unfortunately, many current and returning students are unaware that such opportunities exist. Many colleges and universities offer a range of professional development activities that can help students gain insight into the topics and issues that they are studying. According to Lana Stevens, an editor from www.writemyessay.nyc, these opportunities generally include hands-on experience with assigned readings, essays, projects, and even short courses that help prepare students for their final exam.

General Higher Education

One of the most effective ways to enhance students' academic success during their first-year of college is through "mentoring in higher education." The decline in general higher education enrollment reflects several issues, including the decline in local higher education funding and the difficulty retaining students. For this reason, faculty often have an increased need for informal feedback regarding their teaching methods, curriculum, student learning, and student success. In some cases, this external input can provide the additional guidance that a faculty may need in order to maximize the benefits that their efforts provide to their students. This " Supplemental Instruction" includes a variety of experiences that students can gain throughout the course of their academic program.

Programming Opportunities

Several faculties now offer a wide range of student academic success programming opportunities that can be tailored to individual needs. These programs are designed to help students overcome certain obstacles that students may encounter, improve certain aspects of their learning, or increase their self-efficacy. Such programs generally come in the form of small group meetings or one-on-one consultancies. Most faculty members are eager to help their first-year students effectively navigate the learning process, and they welcome the opportunity to help prepare them with valuable " Supplemental Instruction."

Frequent Questions

The opportunity for providing " Supplemental Instruction" to first-year students is an important one. During their time in college, students will likely have many questions that they need answered. These questions may come from professors, advisors, or even fellow students in their own community. It can be difficult for a first-year student to take on such a big responsibility, especially if they lack confidence in their own abilities. A wise teacher/mentor would help guide their student through the process by providing them with the insight they need to effectively tackle these questions.

Universities and Colleges

Many universities and colleges in the southabama region have recently been involved in supplemental instruction pilot projects that use experiential techniques in helping students overcome certain challenges. For example, one such project began at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa as part of a larger effort to improve retention among the incoming Freshmen. The pilot project evaluated four different groups of Freshmen who were paired with one another to work on a research project. Students who participated in the experiential component exhibited higher levels of self-confidence, higher GPA's, and a better understanding of academic success.

More Resources

In order to be successful academically in college, it is important to develop a positive peer environment. Freshmen in the spring can usually be found asking and answering questions in class. Encouraging student interaction is not only encouraged, it is critical for a student's success in higher education. Supporting this type of student academic success is as easy as encouraging them to seek out guidance. Many organizations and support groups exist solely to provide assistance to underrepresented minority students seeking opportunities to further their studies.

Advice for Freshmen

Freshmen are not the only group of students who can gain from extra experiences. There are many activities and clubs that help students to succeed both academically and socially. For instance, students in the Southeastern university system can get involved in a student organization for basketball, softball, sorority and fraternity life, amongst other core group activities. More traditional colleges and universities offer a wide array of social experiences, ranging from group study nights to visiting clubs and campus organizations that interest students outside their courses. The important thing is to take advantage of the opportunities available to those outside of the student's core subjects.

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A valuable mentoring in higher education lesson would be to pay for a single study night with a classmate or another student who has already earned a degree. Students who lack financial means should consider donating to a student organization that focuses on underrepresented minority students. This could be any academic, vocational or interdisciplinary group based on interests or goals. There are also scholarships available to students who demonstrate leadership skills and who demonstrate potential in special ways. These scholarships will be awarded to students who demonstrate an ability to impact large numbers of individuals and improve their lives in some way.




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