Each year as thousands of new college students head to campus, everyone — myself included — is eager to share tips and insider knowledge with the latest cohort. And while the advice to get involved and make good choices is, in fact, excellent advice, all of these well-intentioned tips probably get a bit repetitive.
And yet, here I am, about to offer another tip to all of you new students: Find a mentor.
In some ways, finding a mentor reminds me of the Pokémon Go craze happening right now. Possible mentors are everywhere, but it’s up to you to seek them out. Practically anywhere on campus you can find a resource who aligns well with your goals and interests and whom you can call upon for advice and problem solving help. You just have to be willing to take a risk, open up and catch one.
Related: From professor to lifelong mentor: How to establish the connection
The opportunity to engage in mentorship, either formally or informally, often gets overlooked, especially since its long-term impact and importance is enormous. It’s a unique opportunity for someone to support you holistically, to relate to you as you encounter new perspectives. The experience of connecting with a mentor is one of the best-kept secrets of higher education, though it should be touted as a must-do on any roundup of tips and advice.
Students can look to their faculty advisers for advice beyond course work, or to student services, provosts, athletics, library staff, advancement staff, and yes, even to the college president. It doesn’t matter where on your campus you seek out your mentor, because there are so many different opportunities for finding a trusted adviser and guide.
Personally, I’ve enjoyed both sides of mentorships, some of which have had a profound and lasting effect on the trajectory of my career and of my life. Student success and support are why I went into education. Students matter to me, and I’m grateful that I have something to offer them, even if it’s just asking questions: Where do you see yourself going? What steps are you taking to get there? What are your passions? What do you hope to accomplish?
In my previous position as president of Frostburg State University, I had the privilege of working with 12 students each year through the President’s Leadership Circle program. After building such strong relationships by personally mentoring these students, I’m fortunate to still be connected with many of them and proud to serve as a life-long reference.
But mentorship doesn’t have to be a formal experience or relationship for students. In the absence of a mentoring program, you just need to be a little bit bold. Instead of waiting for someone to notice you, sometimes you have to step outside of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to those who may serve as a mentor. In my first year as president of Wells College, I had the opportunity to mentor a handful of students simply because they came into my office looking for advice and support.
And it’s precisely this kind of proactive approach that students should adopt. It’s okay to ask for help or guidance, and it no way suggests that you’re doing something wrong. If anything, you’re doing something right!
I’m no stranger to asking for help as a mentee. In my early years as an undergraduate, the chair of the psychology department at Binghamton University served as my mentor. After I entered graduate school, I wasn’t sure it was the right fit for me and so I sought out his advice. Rather than convincing me to stay in graduate school for psychology, as was his path, he asked me what I wanted to do once I graduated and offered to help me figure out the steps I needed to take to get there.
I’ve even had the opportunity to continue as a mentee well into my professional career. Brit Kirwan, former chancellor of the University System of Maryland, was interested in my concerns and successes, or whatever was on my mind. This continued guidance has shaped my experiences and made me a more thoughtful, reflective leader, and I’m happy to be able to offer such support in turn to the next generation of students and future higher education visionaries.
Although you may feel inundated with advice about what to try in college and tips for success, summoning the courage to open up to a mentor can change your life. You can engage in serious thought and conversation and remain grounded and connected to your experiences. With any luck, seeking out a mentor will become the next craze to sweep campuses—I encourage you to go out and find yours on campus today.
Reprinted from: USA Today College – http://college.usatoday.com – 8.18.16
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