Why Mentors Are Good to Have

Written By Colēgia

Having someone to help guide you through your life can be helpful. We don't have all the answers but there are people out there with experience in different areas that can help us with that. Today we want to talk about why mentors are good to have.

Both Sides Teach Each Other

A key distinction between a teacher and a mentor is that while a teacher is more focused on helping people learn and build knowledge, a mentor acts as more of a guide. This is important because there is merit to having this kind of relationship for personal growth. Rather than focus simply on the logistics of trying to become the most knowledgeable we can be, we can admit that our scope of understanding can be enhanced when we have someone else to lean on. This is important because there are some areas that are better understood depending on the perspective. Someone with experience can see the value in doing things one way along with the proper technique. Someone lacking experience can contribute by being inquisitive and asking about the how and why something works the way it does. This type of dynamic is needed because having a fresh set of eyes can show another means of viewing a topic.

“A key distinction between a teacher and a mentor is that while a teacher is more focused on helping people learn and build knowledge, a mentor acts as more of a guide.”

It Improves Performance

Going into something with little to no information can be very difficult and oftentimes ill-advised. A mentor can help give us a better roadmap toward improvement by helping with this. Our performance can be limited depending on the tools and resources available to us. A mentor can help provide us with these tools through a combination of research and experience. For example, a guidance counselor is a great example of a mentor as they need to understand that each student's needs are different. Given that they have the training, education, and tools, they can help steer students toward their ideal path. One helpful way that mentors can do this is because they are able to see things from an outside perspective. This matters immensely as while we ultimately want what is best for us, it can be difficult to see past our own biases. Simply having a second opinion can work wonders for decision-making.

“A mentor can help give us a better roadmap toward improvement by helping with this.”

They Offer Motivation

Motivation can be fleeting which is all the more reason why we may need help with that. Doing well in school can be very demanding and having someone else to talk to can make all the difference. A mentor can be just the person to talk to as they've also experienced all the rigors of education. Talking to them about your feelings on an upcoming exam, or even an assignment can make all the difference. Having an outlet is needed and communicating with others can ease any stress you may be feeling. A mentor understands that properly conveying our thoughts is needed and good to do. A mentor can also provide motivation through words of encouragement such as a pep talk before a test or by directing you toward self-help services. A great example of this is using meditational resources such as Alaia which can help you relax.

“Doing well in school can be very demanding and having someone else to talk to can make all the difference.”

A Good Mentor Teaches You How to Think For Yourself

The best part of having a mentor as a student is that they teach you how to think for yourself. This is a life skill that goes far beyond the classroom as it can help empower you and make the right choices. Critical thinking is a skill often found in philosophy, psychology, and other areas revolving around the mental side of education. Thinking about how we think through methods such as metacognition, or reviewing how we see challenges is beneficial. Instead of viewing obstacles as something difficult, seeing them as a learning experience is much healthier. A good mentor can review your accomplishments along with discussing viewpoints on certain topics to help guide you in a manner that suits you. Eventually, there will come a time where we need to stand on our own without external help, and being able to do that can make all the difference. Mentors can help make your academic journey more engaging with all of these techniques and bring out your best possible self.

Colēgia

Colēgia

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