Under My Wing  June 26th

Listen to this blog Let me read this blog to you.

In the winter, I applied to be a student peer adviser for the School of Education at my university. I was accepted in April, and just yesterday I found out who my advisees will be this upcoming academic year. I’m really excited now because I love students (and yes, that is one of the creepiest things I say), and I’m eager to take a few under my wing.

You may be wondering, “What does a student peer adviser do, anyway?” I could ask the same thing since my peer adviser did absolutely nothing last year, but I know what my obligations are. It is my responsibility to establish contact over the summer with a small group of incoming students so that when they arrive, they already have a connection to someone who can help them out with their transitioning problems. It is my duty to help them adjust to their new lives, answer their questions, and refer them to those who could further assist them, if needed. That’s my job.

Anyway, I will be working with six incoming Science Education majors. I didn’t realize that I have twice the number of students most of the other first-time advisers have until the coordinator of the program mentioned it in an email. Since I am the only Science Education major out of all the advisers, she didn’t want to give away any of the new Science Ed kids to anyone else. I don’t mind. It’s a good thing for them. I wished my peer adviser had some knowledge of the science program, but she didn’t.

So that’s that. I’m supposed to introduce myself to these kids via postcard soon. I’m excited. I also actually have plans this weekend, so that’s cool. Dan and I are going to the art museum. That’ll be fun.


10 Comments

  1. Jess says:

    That does sound like fun, if you have the patience for that sort of thing. I think it sounds like you do and those kids will be lucky.

    Ooh, art museum. I wish we had one near. It would be cool to go to it for a day.

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  2. Mark says:

    Hey, Erin. I stumbled upon your blog a long time ago through another blog (For Destiny). I recalled the long-forgotten URL recently, so I figured I’d pay a visit.

    Anyways, this “student peer mentor” position you just got seems very similar to the one I have. Here at Rutgers, we have “peer mentors” for the honors program, who contact and help the incoming honors students well before the academic year starts. As a matter of fact, there is a mentor/mentee gathering this Sunday.

    Peer mentor is a very rewarding job without too much hassle; I hope you’ll enjoy it.

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  3. Ben says:

    I bet that will be really fun being able to help out the new students. I’m sure they’ll really appreciate it cause it must be quite hard going from High School to University. Six students sounds like a lot, well I hope it all goes well!
    Going to the art museum must be fun, I love museums :D

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  4. Lauren says:

    That will be fun helping 6 students out! You’re in the same major, so you can answer more questions and get to know some freshman! But luckily, those freshman will have you as their advisor! :)

    The art museum will be fun! I still need to pack to go on vacation next week!

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  5. Patbby says:

    That’s really cool, helping students out. They’re really lucky to have such a smart girl such as you, Erin ;)

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  6. Georgina says:

    Omg, congrats on being peer adviser, and to quite a bunch of students as well! It must be an honour. I guess when you’re older and dealing with older students it isn’t too bad; I just think of those kids at work, lol.

    We don’t have peer advisers here but we have people who are around to help us out in the first few weeks. We don’t really establish any sort of connection. :P

    Ooh, have fun at the art museum! :3

    Yep; it’s a rare song! It was on Machina II, which I believe was their last album? It’s full of rarities and stuff. :)

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  7. Holly says:

    Fun! I did something like that too, last year, only over here it was called the Student Mentoring Program. It was really fun, and looks great on your CV too, I’m sure you’ll get a lot out of it. :)

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  8. Lauren says:

    I love summer, and not having to do work. I do have to read and take notes for English, though!

    I am going to take LOTS of pictures! :)

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  9. Allie says:

    Congrats on becoming a peer adviser! :) That sounds like a great idea! But watch out, because some of them might decide to give you a hard time! :P They should be grateful to have such an awesome person to be their adviser. xD

    We don’t have anything like that at school. You just go to a teacher for help. xD

    Have fun at the art museum! :D

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  10. Ben says:

    Hope you have fun at the art museum. Or had fun, not sure if you have been or not yet. :)

    Well done on getting accepted, that’s really awesome. That sounds like a good scheme if the peer adviser does their job which I have no doubt that you will. Good luck!

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