Hello World,
In chapter one of my peer mentor book we covered what it means to be a peer mentor, how it is different from tutoring, the difference between formal and informal tutoring, realizing our motivation, balancing your other responsibilities and mentoring, and many other topics. Most of the reading was basically a refresher of concepts that are commonly known, but clarifying the difference between informal mentoring (taking a mentor role without being assigned) and formal mentoring where a mentor is assigned to assist a person (usually in an educational setting).
Another important part of this chapter was clarifying the difference between a mentor and a tutor. Tutors mostly focus on student mastery of topics of specific concepts, while mentors can do that, but also promote success in other areas of the students life such as social development and the transition to college life.
During our first class we did two truths and a lie which was very interesting, especially since I know several of my fellow peer mentors fairly well, trying to see if I knew the lie hidden amongst the truths. In some situations I did in others I didn't. I really feel the best part about being a peer mentor will be becoming good friends with the other 15 mentors and our facilitators.
I must admit my mind was elsewhere rather than being on the topic on hand since I was battling a bout of the flu, which I lost by the way, that night.
Well thats all I have to talk about about my thoughts and experiences in class and while reading the chapters this week.
See ya later,
It's good that a lot of it was a refresher for you. It will really help out later in the semesters to come and will make everything else easier too. I thought the two truths and a lie was interesting too, and you did really good at that by the way. It'll really be fun as the semester goes by to make friends with everyone. :)
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