Students seek mentorship from profs
After four years of classes, thousands of dollars in tuition and countless nights of homework, tests and group projects, most students hope to leave college with a diploma. However, there’s another part of the college experience that some students miss. Professors want to work for the student to help them succeed both during and after their college education.
The faculty and staff at USU provide help for their students and can be valuable resources throughout the collegiate career. One place to look for help is the USU Advising Center, where students can find their academic advisor.
The Advising Center recommends students meet with their academic advisor at least once a semester. Advisors are hired to help students on the track toward graduation. Meeting with an academic advisor early can give students a head start in their progress toward a degree and subsequent career.
In addition to advising, there are other ways students can improve their academic experience. Comradery with a professor or lecturer at the beginning of the semester can help by creating a positive relationship where open communication is available.
“Having a mentor here is great,” said Machaela Burt, a senior majoring in theatre education. “I feel like I’m able to go to him with questions – even dumb questions I don’t want to ask anyone else – because he’s someone who is supporting me.”
Burt said she met with her professor because he was her program advisor. She said they ended up working together frequently and she was lucky to build a relationship this way.
“Don’t be intimidated by them,” Burt said. “It’s good to have a relationship but don’t expect it to be buddy-buddy from the start. They’re professionals. A good thing to keep in mind is they don’t need to know they’re your mentor, they just need to know who you are.”
“Take the initiative early in your time at USU to introduce yourself and brown-nose shamelessly,” she said. “Tell them who you are and what you want to do with your life, or what you think you want to do with your life, or even what you expect you might want to do with your life.”
“It’s just good support,” she said. “If I’m stressed about school and projects he’s not afraid to tell me I’m trying to do too much, he watches out for me and keeps an eye on my well-being.”
Often professors are more invested in their students when they know who they are and have a good impression of them.
“It’s absolutely useful,” Burt said. “He helps me find funding for projects, he lets me know about opportunities in the community and in my department and he supports me in generating projects of my own. It’s definitely been worthwhile for me to build a relationship with him.”
“Go to their office hours,” said Casey Staley, a junior majoring in exercise science. “Take the initiative to get to know the professors because they’re world-class in their respective fields.”
There are hundreds of classes available at USU. Throughout a student’s college career, they will meet many professionals in their field, including their professors. They have experience in their area of education.
“You can’t get better knowledge for free while you’re in school, so take advantage of their resources,” Staley said.
– liz.gabbitas@aggiemail.usu.edu