I have chosen to be a peer educator of the Hixson Program at
Iowa State for several reasons.
#1: To give back to
the Hixson Program.
As a first semester freshman, I remember the Hixson Program
helping me in several ways that helped me in order to be successful. As a peer mentor, this is a way for me to
give back to the program. I would like
to provide a fun and exciting atmosphere for the freshman to learn about
several different topics that will help them to succeed here at Iowa State.
#2: To improve my
leadership skills.
Being a Hixson peer mentor will help me to improve my
leadership skills in many ways. Not only
will I have the responsibility of teaching a section of Hixson recitation, but I
will be responsible for preparing lesson plans and so forth in order to teach
this class. In order to be a great
teacher to others, you also have to teach yourself things, which is something I’m
looking forward to. Being a leader and
an example for the freshman will help me to improve and practice my leadership
skills.
#3: To get to know
other Hixson Scholars.
One of the biggest things I am excited about is to get to
know the Hixson Scholars of the freshman class.
I remember what it was like as a freshman, just last year! As a junior, I hope that I will be able to
help the freshman with whatever concerns or joys they may have. Providing a fun atmosphere in recitation is
one of my main goals. Sometimes coming
to a class that provides a little fun in your day, relieves a little stress and
helps you to concentrate better on your difficult classes after.
In chapter one of the textbook, Students Helping Students,
it describes peer educators as valuable because they are completely
effective. They can relate to situations
that students may be having trouble with because they are familiar to campus
and their surroundings. They are also
cost effective for the university by providing somewhat as the same duty as an
advisor, but on a more personal level.
This is what I want to be, EFFECTIVE. Not cost effective, but effective in a way
that I am contributing to and helping the students in any way that they may
need. I would like to make a difference
in the Hixson Scholar’s first year of college.
Even if I can answer one simple question they have a day, I am still
helping them in a way that will make it easier for them to better their
education. This is my goal.
Haley, I really like you reasons on being a Hixson Peer Mentor. I can relate to all of those. Looking forward to getting to know you and all of the others!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your comparison of a peer mentor to an academic advisor. Peer mentors can really be an invaluable asset to a student's academic success!
ReplyDeleteI love that the main reason so many of us decided to be peer mentors was to give back to the Hixson program for all it's done for us. For some reason that just makes me really proud!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job defining how you want to be effective regarding helping the freshmen next year. Something as simple as answering a question they might have or just having them know that you're there if they ever need anyone to talk to will already make a huge difference, and it sounds like you know exactly what you need to do to reach your goal!