Being a Good Mentee
In many ways, the expectations placed on a mentor are easier to define and articulate than those for a mentee. Often, the relationship between a mentor and mentee is set up to benefit the mentee (even though the mentor often gains just as much as her/his mentee). What we have found is that the quality of guidance and support often depends upon the mutual commitment to a mentee’s success. Since this guide focuses on the mentee’s role in the mentorship relationship, we want to focus on the basic tenets regarding participation in the CMC (and other mentoring programs in general), and then outline some basic guidelines about how you can get the most out of your mentor.
BASIC TENETS
• We assume that you WANT to be part of this program. You decided to join the CMC. As a mentee, we expect that you have some goals that you need help to attain, or specific knowledge that you hope to gain from your Mentor. The knowledge you can gain from your mentor is invaluable. If you are not prepared to ask for help or don’t think you need help, then you should talk to OMSA and the College about other ways that we can best support you.
• Your mentor assumes that you want their help, but does not presume to know how they can be a support for you. You need to tell them what they can do for you. Think of your mentor as a tool – your mentor can’t help you until you show him/her when and how to help. Just like anything else, if you don’t utilize your mentor, then the relationship won’t go anywhere, and you won’t gain much from their knowledge and experience.
• You can rest assured that your mentor WANTS to be your mentor. Mentors volunteer because they understand how valuable good mentorship can be to individual success. Perhaps they had the benefit of good mentorship and want to pass it along. Or maybe they see in hindsight how good mentorship could have benefited them and want to spare others their experience. By signing up for the CMC, they show that they want to work with Chicago students and lend their experience. Feel free to ask for help as often as you need it.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Identify in what capacity you need.
We’ve tried to pair you with a mentor who would best support you with respect to what you wrote down on your application (i.e., job search/placement, internships, grad school, etc.). If you have changed your mind, you can still keep the same mentor, but let us know if the nature of the support you need has changed, so that we can pair you with another/or new mentor according to your needs.
• Communicate to your mentor what you are working on.
Internship applications, grad school applications, job search, job application, job interviews, major/minor selection, narrowing down/choosing a BA topic.
• Be supportable.
This means that you seek out your mentor for help. Your mentor won’t know if and when you need support unless you tell them. Set up specific times and dates for meeting; if you meet more regularly, then both of you can manage your extremely busy lives to ensure a positive meeting. Be open to your mentor’s advice and opinions.
• Ask for your mentor’s help.
Sometimes this means you just want someone to listen to you talk through a problem, you may want their help to discover what it is that you don’t see regarding a specific problem, and sometimes, you just don’t know what to do, and you really need their input.
• Ask for your mentor’s experiences.
It very well may be that their experience with a similar barrier, goal, or problem can help you find new avenues of action you hadn’t thought of, or lead you down a path that you never even knew existed.
• Keep OMSA/the College and your mentor posted.
How well is your mentor working out for you? Is there more support that you think you can get from another or different person? What kinds of events would you like to see us facilitate or sponsor? How did your interview go? Did you finish your application? Are there more things coming up that you need to plan for?
Tutoring Resources
Listed below is information about the various tutoring services on campus. We have listed the most popular ones here, but please keep in mind that each department may have its own tutors or TAs available.
Chemistry Tutoring:
The Chemistry Department asks students if they are willing to be put on a list of individuals who can be contacted to make private arrangements if a student needs a tutor. This list is updated quarterly, and is kept by Melinda Moore, the Student Service Representative. You can contact her via email at mmoore@uchicago.edu.
College CORE Tutoring Program:
The College CORE Tutoring Program offers tutoring in Chemistry, Economics, Math, Physics, and Writing. Tutors are available at set times in Harper Library, Shoreland Hall, Palevsky Residential Commons, and Cobb Hall. The schedule is updated quarterly and can be found at www.college.uchicago.edu/tutors/.
Writing:
For CORE Humanities courses, there are writing interns available to assist with writing, citation, and editing of papers. The interns for the course that your mentee has enrolled in can be found at http://writing-program.uchicago.edu/resources/find-intern.htm.
You can elect to enroll in a quarter-long course at the Little Red Schoolhouse. These courses are typically meant for upperclassmen and graduate students seeking help with academic and professional writing. More information on the courses can be found at http://writing-program.uchicago.edu/courses/index.htm.
English as a Second Language @ I-House:
ESL tutors can be contacted to edit any papers for students who have learned English as a Second Language. The ESL tutors are paid $40/hr for tutoring and $50/hour for editing. Please note that these fees must be incurred by the student. More information on ESL tutors is available at http://ihouse.uchicago.edu/esl/esl_tutors.html.
Academic Skills Assessment Program (ASAP):
ASAP is sponsored through the Student Counseling and Resources Service. ASAP assists students with improving academic performance through assessment, counseling and referral. ASAP addresses a range of study skills including time management, reading comprehension, test taking, and note-taking. Regarding writing issues, the college provides writing tutors for undergraduates. ASAP helps graduate students with issues of organization and style. However, we do not offer editing services. ASAP also provides assessment and coaching for ADD/ADHD and LD.
ASAP is housed in the Student Counseling and Resource Service (SCRS) at 5737 South University Avenue. Individual appointments can be made with an educational therapist by calling (773) 702-9800. They are available Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm. You can also access the webpage at http://counseling.uchicago.edu/services/asap/. The website includes self-assessment tools and quick tips to improve performance immediately, you can then follow up with a therapist visit if desired. ASAP also holds several workshops throughout the year to help improve time management skills and combat procrastination.
