By Hosanna Folmsbee, Online Writing Specialist
November 1, 2022

Help me, help you, which also helps me.

I think most people would agree that navigating the higher education system can be one of the most confusing, daunting, and overwhelming transitions one faces, often with little to no preparation beforehand. Not only are students asked to complete time-consuming applications and paperwork before they even attend, but once they do step foot on campus, they come face to face with numerous decisions that can be life-altering.

Looking back on my first semester, I remember arriving on campus fifteen minutes before my classes would start, waiting in my car until about seven minutes before, and going straight to the classroom so that I could get a front-row seat. Then, once the 75 minutes went by and our professor dismissed us, I would walk right back out and go to my car to leave.

It wasn’t until one Tuesday evening, when I was sitting in my classroom alone, waiting for the professor and the other students to arrive (I was always scared of being late), that I heard the door open. I looked behind me, expecting to see my professor when instead I saw a girl, who I guessed to be around my age. She walked in and passed her usual seat in the far-left corner to take the one beside me. I smiled, and we exchanged pleasantries before silence again fell upon us.

“What year are you?” she asked me, cutting through the quiet once again. At the time, I didn’t even know how to answer because I wasn’t used to that question. So, I thought for a moment and blurted, “first semester.”

Something in her eyes sparkled when she heard me say those two words. She got excited and more energetic, and immediately more questions followed. She began to explain how this was her last semester before transferring, and she was thrilled to meet me at such an early stage of my educational journey. She then began to offer me advice on what clubs to join and where I could find rewarding jobs on campus that work around class schedules. Most remarkably, she also told me that she was a part of the Quanta Honors program and how it offered its graduates a chance at free tuition for their last two years at Stetson University!

My life changed drastically after that short yet incredibly impactful encounter. I began making connections. I got a job at the Writing Center, received my acceptance into the Quanta Honors, and am now enrolled in the Honors Program at Stetson University without a dime coming out of my pocket.

I can confidently say that I would not be where I am today without her kindness, contagious ambition, and the time she took to share her knowledge and insights. I was instantly inspired to share any resources or perspective I gained throughout the remainder of my DSC journey. Hence, my passion for making the power behind “Peer Mentorship” more apparent.

What does “Peer Mentorship” mean?

Peer mentoring is when two individuals are in similar life stages, ages, or programs; yet, one has more experience in the field and can offer guidance and encouragement to the less-experienced individual. At its core, peer mentoring offers one-of-a-kind support that provides both the mentor and mentee an array of life skills and long-term benefits.

Why “Peer Mentorship?”

While hierarchical mentoring, for example, advisor-to-student, faculty-to-student, or professor-to-student relationships, are also incredibly beneficial and positively improves a student’s academic success, peer mentoring is an opportunity to create more impact on a broader range of students. For example, the “peer mentor” gets more exposure to the world of teaching and advising, and the “peer mentee” receives the direct benefits of their understanding and experience.

There are also practical and financial benefits to peer mentoring over hierarchical mentoring. Although there are currently no studies that signify a difference between peer or hierarchical mentoring success rates, there are pragmatic reasons why a peer mentorship program is a more resourceful option.

For example, within a peer mentoring program, students help students. With the way the program would run, it offers the peer mentor beneficial volunteer hours to assist in qualifying for future internships and jobs or simply have a line added on their resume. On a more personal level, it can also increase responsibility and positive character traits within the peer mentor, which they can then apply to their future education or work environments.

The program could also benefit faculty members at the schools which offer peer mentoring. The responsibilities of professors and other higher-ed faculty are strenuous as it is, so I imagine any relief is welcome. With some of the burden being lifted off them and given to the willing peer mentors, faculty are left with more energy to focus on their necessary student interactions.

“Am I cut out to be a peer mentor?”

Well, let me ask you a few questions first.

Do you enjoy helping? Do you feel you have beneficial resources that few students know about? Are you confident in your ability to seek out helpful resources? Are you looking for a rewarding and accessible way to improve yourself and/or your resume?

If you answered yes to any of the questions, then the answer to your question is also yes!

Whether your school has a peer mentorship program or not, I encourage you to be open and lend a helping hand to your fellow classmates. Everyone struggles with individual battles, many that are not obvious to us, so if providing empathy and guidance helps even one person — take that opportunity.