Having a mentor in college can be a valuable source of guidance, support, and inspiration for your academic and personal growth. But how do you build a strong relationship with your mentor that is based on trust, respect, and mutual benefit? Here are some best practices to help you make the most of your mentoring experience.
The first step to building a strong relationship with your mentor is to communicate your goals and expectations clearly and honestly. What do you want to learn from your mentor? What are your academic and career aspirations? How often and how do you prefer to communicate with your mentor? How do you like to receive feedback and advice? By sharing these information with your mentor, you can establish a common ground and a shared vision for your mentoring relationship.
Having a clear what and why is essential before communicating. Be open to everything coming to you as a feedback and respond as you believe it should. It is all right to disagree, but have an intent to discuss that too and find a way that fits. It is a start off and your mentor is learning you!
The second step to building a strong relationship with your mentor is to be proactive and responsive. Don't wait for your mentor to initiate contact or check on your progress. Instead, reach out to your mentor regularly, update them on your achievements and challenges, ask for their input and guidance, and follow up on their suggestions and referrals. Also, be responsive to your mentor's communication and feedback, acknowledge their time and effort, and express your appreciation and gratitude.
I agree with this. If you’re looking for the best to learn from, chances are everybody else, too. So, instead working with everybody, mentor could provide you a task just to learn your aptitude and to decide whether to work forward.
The third step to building a strong relationship with your mentor is to seek and accept feedback. Feedback is a crucial part of learning and improving, and your mentor can offer you valuable insights and perspectives that can help you grow as a student and a person. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from your mentor, whether it is on your academic work, your skills, your goals, or your challenges. Also, be open and receptive to feedback, even if it is constructive or critical. Listen to your mentor's feedback, reflect on it, and act on it.
The fourth step to building a strong relationship with your mentor is to respect boundaries and differences. Your mentor is not your friend, your parent, or your therapist. They are a professional who has volunteered to share their knowledge, experience, and network with you. Therefore, you should respect their boundaries and avoid asking for inappropriate favors, personal information, or emotional support. You should also respect their differences and diversity, and appreciate their unique background, perspective, and style.
The fifth step to building a strong relationship with your mentor is to give and receive value. Your mentoring relationship is not a one-way street, where you only take from your mentor. You should also give back to your mentor by showing interest in their work, sharing your feedback and ideas, offering your help and support, and recognizing their achievements and contributions. By giving and receiving value, you can create a mutually beneficial and rewarding mentoring relationship.
The sixth and final step to building a strong relationship with your mentor is to celebrate successes and learn from failures. Your mentoring relationship is a journey of learning and growth, where you will encounter both victories and setbacks. You should celebrate your successes with your mentor, and thank them for their role in helping you achieve them. You should also learn from your failures with your mentor, and seek their advice on how to overcome them and move forward. By celebrating successes and learning from failures, you can strengthen your bond with your mentor and your confidence in yourself.