1- I've Got the Power... to Influence (Peer Mentoring)

Peer mentor's play an important role in a student's first year experience. Students come from many different backgrounds and situations, and may not necessarily feel ready for the college experience. Some students may be scared they won't make any friends, they might really struggle with school, or they might feel excluded from the campus environment. A peer mentor should be the one person a student can truly rely on, especially if they have no one else. I see my role as a peer mentor as being  trustworthy, reliable, and knowledgeable. Ultimately, my goal is to hep students transition into college with ease, and to help them be successful. I want to be able to really relate to students and help them see that there are ways out of seemingly tough situations. I feel my strengths are all in the way I treat people. I am very caring, and I empathize very much with other people. I am reliable and trustworthy. I believe I am a good student and would definitely enjoy helping others do the same! A few weaknesses would include being somewhat of a push over. I know there will be times where I may be talking to a student who is slacking in their school work, or whatever the reason is, and I may not necessarily be very upfront about the importance of staying on track. This area is definitely one I am trying to improve on. Facing challenges is definitely something that I will come across with my students. I think the tough part will be in getting students to really care about their academics, staying healthy, and seeing the potential they have to grow. I believe that if they see a really strong example in me, that it will spark the same desire in them. Because I am a peer, I have a lot of power to influence, and I'd love to use that to help students start their college career on a good note!