Some challenges in my life have always been something that turns into something positive. An example is when I went on my Grand Canyon River Club trip. It was my first year going and I sprained my ankle and I had two options either to stay on the trip or to head home. I decided to stay but had to depend on other people on the trip to help me because I could hardly walk. My behavior on the trip bounced around from being sad that I could not go hiking with the rest of the group and to being happy that I could still river raft with the group. I learned that I am stronger than I think and that I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to. This is because throughout the three nights and four days of being there my ankle was swollen, it was purple and it hurt to even put pressure on it. I was strong enough to stay and have a good positive mind throughout my experience. I was thankful for the people who helped me and made it worth my time to stay.
How I can use my experience with my mentee is if there was a situation where they wanted to give up on what it was that they were working on to not do so. An individual is stronger than they know and what ever they set their mind to they can do it. Try something new and experiment then at the end they can tell themselves if it was worth it or not. There is many things that someone can accomplish and show how capable they are of doing so. They have to find that inner strength that they can get past something and have a good outcome from it.
Although your experience was neither campus related or academic related, your story teaches incoming freshmen that you can still make the most out of difficult situations. I think you were brave to continue on the trip knowing how tough of a trip it would be. This story can be used for a multitude of situations you might encounter with your students. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour story was very inspiring and I agree with you about a person's strength being more than they think. If I was in your situation I would not have had the courage to try something new like that. It will be very beneficial to your mentee when they are struggling, because you can remind them that they can do it.
ReplyDeleteYour river trip sounds scary! You definitely showed that you have perseverance and are a go getter. It's awesome that you learned that about yourself! It will definitely help when you relate your challenge back with your mentees so that they know that you CAN make it through, just like you did!
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