Working toward a university degree can be made easier if a student has a mentor with whom to consult and express hopes and fears. Finding an academic mentor can prove to be difficult if the student does not know where to begin his or her search for guidance. In fact, most professors and instructors take pleasure in providing guidance to their students. They welcome the opportunity to share their wisdom and their own life experiences to students who express a genuine interest in making the best of their academic careers.
Finding a mentor can begin in the classroom. Even more, students may be advised to find a mentor who teaches within the student’s major or field of interest. A mentor does not have to be a professor with whom the student most likes or gets along, although an approachable professor does allow for an ease of communication. Rather, the instructor should be someone that can provide the most insight and valuable information that will benefit the student.
Asking the professor to be a mentor to a student might be an awkward situation if the student is unsure of how to contact the instructor. In fact, most universities require professors to set aside and to make known to their students office hours to allow students to visit and discuss classwork concerns. As such, a student can discuss the mentoring possibility during the professor’s office hours. If he or she feels uncomfortable asking the professor face-to-face, the student can email or call the professor to pose this possibility.
Students working toward an online degree also can benefit from having a mentor. As with on-campus students, virtual students should arrange to speak with their instructor during that person’s listed office hours or via email or phone call. In fact, obtaining an online degree often proves to be more challenging than attending a campus university. Online students must be disciplined and commit to working on their studies at home; they must resist the temptation to engage in other activities and pleasures. They are often without the supervision of instructors, which makes the need for a mentor all the more compelling. A virtual student working on an online degree should consider a mentor in order to have someone provide guidance about how to make the most out of his or her online education.
Indeed, professors who teach virtual classes recognize the challenges their online students face and in most cases are eager to help keep their pupils on track with their classwork. These mentors can provide advice about how to keep deadlines, find the best resources with which to complete projects, and give insight about how to approach an assignment. They may also offer tips about how to juggle family life and careers while at the same time working on a degree program. As with on-campus students, virtual students may be well advised to choose an instructor who teaches within that student’s major or field of interest. A mentor can even offer future references.
Ty is an avid blogger and loves to travel. He has been writing both on and offline for over 5 years. His interests include DIY, music and great movies!
I love music, art, blogging, traveling and people! There is nothing better than immersing yourself into a new culture and getting to know new people.
