Looking Back

            For some, our first year at Iowa State doesn’t seem all that long ago. Only when we start to examine everything we have learned and experienced in the past couple years does it really add up. Think about it, not including all of the knowledge we have gained academically that is related to our field of study, we have learn a lot about how to live and how to “survive” college. Hopefully you have learned a significant amount in your classes in the 60+ credits you taken so far. The lessons we learn between classes, in the dorms, out on the town, and away from home are huge parts of being a college student.

            It was 11:00pm the Sunday before my first week of classes as a Cyclone. I was just moving into my room on the third floor of Maple Hall after spending two weeks at the state fair. My roommate was less than thrilled about me moving in the night before our 8:00am classes. When I think back to my first week on campus I can remember eating in the dinning center for the first time. Waiting in line for almost an hour just to spend hundreds of dollars on books. Wondering the halls of Carver Hall looking for my Math 165 lecture. It didn’t take long to pick up on the way things were done and how to get around campus.

            Now that all our first semester is years in the past, it becomes easy to take for granted the transition that everyone must go through when coming to college. More importantly we must remember that the experience is different for everyone. I may have found it easy to adjust to using the CyRide to get around campus after growing up taking public transportation to middle school. For somebody who has never taken public transportation in his or her life, other than a big yellow school bus, it could a totally different situation.

            I encourage not only reflecting upon your personal experiences, but also empathizing with others who might be in the same situation with different circumstances. We have a variety of valuable experiences to share with others, but assuming they are going to experience them in the same way we did will be a huge mistake. 

Oh yeah... and don't forget to be awesome.

~Easten

Be The Best You Can Be

“You can expect that one of the most important outcomes of being a peer educators will be an enhancement of your own growth in both knowledge and personal attributes.” (Students Helping Students pg. 13)

            The role we play as peer mentors is only one of many different capacities in which students can help their fellow students.  Since my first year of high school I have had several of my peers that have also been mentors to me. Some of my mentors where older and I looked up to them for their guidance and experiences. Others mentors where closer to my age but I still valued their opinion highly. I have been blessed to have these people in my life to grow with them in a mentor-mentee relationship. Regardless of the situation peer mentors are in, they will experience growth personally and intellectually.

            My high school FFA chapter attempted starting a mentor program that involved pairing juniors and seniors with the first and second year students. My mentor was Jake, he was a senior while I was a freshman. I admired his involvement in FFA at our school and around the state. He encouraged me to try new things and step outside of my comfort zone.

            Jakes role as my mentor did not stop when he graduated and moved off to college. He continued to motivate and encourage his fellow peers although he was no longer in the same building everyday. He coached our floriculture team for three years in and row and was a key component of my preparations for state officer interviews. While I was traveling the state and being a mentor to others myself, I could always count on Jake to listen to my stories of success and failure.

            Today Jake is a high school agriculture instructor just 40 minutes down the road. The experiences he had mentoring my class, serving as a state officer, student teaching in Chicago and a service-learning trip to Uganda have contributed to his passion for teaching others.  He has served as a peer mentor to me as well as countless others. I will always consider Jake a mentor, but also close friend of mine.

            As a Hixson Peer Mentor we will be making an impact in the lives of others. But often overlooked is the impact on the mentor. As we go through our training and prepare for next semester allow yourself to be challenged so that you can grow into a more effective peer mentor.  Be the best you can be, not only for your mentees but also for yourself.

Peace, Love and Pogo Sticks!

~Easten