In class we talked about many different techniques for communication. In our class we use the think/pair/share. This is the best way to get to know the other people in my class on a personal level. I feel when mentoring students next year the think/pair/share would also be the best way of communication. With the think/pair/share we will get to know our students on a personal level as well. When having that type of relationship with your students, they will feel more comfortable coming to you for help. They will not be afraid to ask questions, and will also get to know their mentor and trust them with their opinion.

Diversity

For the past couple of weeks we have been talking about diversity. I feel this is a great topic to talk about as peer mentors. We will not just be dealing with students of different races or ethnicity, but also with people from different backgrounds. For example, some students will be coming from larger high school and others from smaller ones. The best was to deal with diversity is to go into each class with an open mind. This will also help out the students open their minds to diversity. One way to keep an open mind is to not be judgmental. I feel this is something I myself needs to work on,, not only for this class but for life in general. It is hard not to judge someone at first site. We have these stereotypes in are head ans we assume because of how they look those people will act the same way. In my experience of getting to know people they never compare to the general stereotype. So I try my hardest not to be judgmental, but I find this difficult to do.

My Values

Values are those important qualities that make you, you. This past week in class we talked about our values and how they relate to others. I feel like through my past experiences, They have aloud me to find myself as a person. I feel I know who I am and what is important to me. I take these values you apply them to my daily decisions. I use these values as a foundation to who I am and where I want to go in life. For example My family is my number one, They are the people I go to for advice and the people that I know will always be there for me. When I am at school and dont have my family close by to help with the quick decisions I relay on my friends. Therefor they rank at number two.

We related our values to diversity. How does our values rank compared to others? Is there a right and wrong to what you rank first or fifth? Of course not! But even when I compared my rankings to another member in class I still felt weird that they didn't have the same ranking as mine. Even though it was perfectly fine, I still asked the question why? I feel this is one thing I need to work on. Understanding that not everyone holds the same values I do. When you look at the picture as a whole this makes sense. Not everyone is the same therefor they would not value the same values. This is what create diversity, this is what creates change. It is great to have change in this world without it everyone would stay the same and not venture out and try new things, new ideas and obtain new values.

Mentoring Relationships

This past week in class we talked about Mentoring relationships. We talked about different levels into being a good peer mentor. I feel the most difficult level would be the second level which answers the question, why are we here? To start off, the first level answers the question Who are you? You gain interest in your students, get to know them and figure out their interest. Start off with a good impression. Some people in the class said this would have been most difficult to do, I agree but I feel to keep them interested you have to answer the question, why are we here? Let the students know why you are a peer mentor what we have to offer them and help them through their transition to college. Keep them interested in the class and have them be excited for it each week. Become the type of mentor the student can go to when they have a problem, someone they can relate to.

When I start my class I hope to give a great first impression on the first day, and then with the days that follow to keep the students interest in the class. Some ways I could do this is to focus on making the lesson plans now informative as well as interacting with others. If I do my research ahead of time, the students will know I am confident in the information I am providing them, in return they will respect the class a little more.

I am here to be a peer mentor and help first year students transition into college. I feel the best way to make there transition smoother, is to dedicate time this semester in planning the class they will be attending next semester. And I plan on doing exactly that.