Let me begin by saying on behalf of many of those who are peer mentors, I'M SORRY!!!!! College is about learning how deal with much of life's stressors and dealing with society. Not for holding hands and singing Kumbaya around a circle of desks in small groups. Some of us may not have realized what we have signed up for before applying, especially in those with colleges and universities trying out these programs for the first time.
As a peer mentor in a university that is trying this seminar/class for the first time, it is a literal train wreck. In my opinion that is the nice way of putting it. What you don't see behind the peer mentor's eyes are all of the hours spent in their own dorm rooms trying to figure out how to help you first-year students, when we can barely help ourselves survive the struggles of college. I myself had a very hard year adjusting to college life after spending the first 17 years of my life in a small suburb outside of Philadelphia.
Some of the struggles that we face while dealing with programs like these is bridging the gap between being professional, and being one of the first friends you meet in college. It is incredibly hard to say that I keep a professional relationship with all of my . mentees. But in reality, some of them I have become really good friends with on a personal level. Back to the original topic at hand.
The biggest struggle is still being a full-time student while balancing a "real-job" and being a peer-mentor. Most of the peer-anchors or peer-mentors that are aiding first-year college students are in the same position. Juggling 12-15 credits (3 credits per class) then adding a 6th class while being a mentor, is one of the most difficult aspects of the job. Not to mention the lack of compensation. Many of the established programs across the country and even the state of Pennsylvania, have their mentors on an actual hourly payment basis. So they are making decent money, here its a $750 "stipend" that still has all of the taxes taken out. And split into monthly payments, and a crap load of free t-shirts.
For the first-year students who are seeing that they are being held by their hand into a blind world of academic difficulty, social misunderstanding and daily stress of "adulting" you are at the biggest disadvantage out of everyone in this campus. Because your brain gets used to the assistance you still have to go through the adjustment of college life, but just delayed.
With all of the studies out there showing the relationship to having a healthy, reduced stress, happier college experience and actually getting involved with something on campus that YOU are interested in, just DO IT!! Not to sound like a Nike commercial but its the truth. Getting involved on campus actually helps you stay normal, or as normal as you came to college with. Sitting in a classroom discussing how to take notes, or what is the point of meeting with an academic advisor doesn't help you do anything.
If I could say one thing to every single first-year college student, traditional, non-traditional, online, whatever you decide to do, it would be this. You are your own individual, your own kindred spirit, your own soul, your own identity, your own person. Don't let some stupid "how to survive college" seminar force you into a rut that you will never be able to climb out of. Don't let the false positivity of your peer-mentor hinder your ability to succeed. At the same time don't be afraid to ask for help, don't be afraid to ask questions. Be the person you were meant to be, and it will be ok. College IS a struggle and its ok, there is nothing wrong with it. You will try, you will rise, and you will fall.
To end this on a positive note, remember everyone has their own transition. Buckle up for the ride, because college will be the best four-years of your life.
Best,
Your Friendly Peer-Mentor
