How do you keep your peer mentoring sessions engaging and interactive?

Before starting peer mentoring, set clear goals and expectations with your mentee. Discuss what they want to learn, their strengths, and areas for improvement. Decide on meeting frequency and duration, and set ground rules. This clarity helps create a shared vision and prevents misunderstandings, making the mentoring process smoother and more effective.

As a peer mentor, I have found that it is important to set clear goals and expectations with my mentees. This helps to ensure that we are both on the same page and that our meetings are productive. I typically start by asking my mentees what they hope to achieve through our mentoring relationship. Once I have a good understanding of their goals, I can then tailor our meetings to meet their needs. For example, if a mentee is struggling with a particular class, I might focus on helping them to develop study skills or time management strategies. If a mentee is looking to improve their communication skills, I might focus on providing them with feedback and practice opportunities. It is also important to set clear expectations for our meetings.

En un proceso de mentoría es fundamental que la otra persona se involucre y se "enganche" desde el primer momento. En mi caso, intento que mis mentorías sean muy prácticas, entretenidas, con dinámicas, muchos ejemplos, compartiendo ideas, poniendo deberes, etc. Además, doy material adicional por si quieren ampliar conocimientos y también se llevan alguna sorpresita ??

Sharing stories, anecdotes, and examples can also be helpful. By sharing personal experiences, both successes and failures, mentees can learn from real-life situations and gain practical insights. It also creates a sense of connection and relatability, making the mentoring sessions more engaging. Engaging in practical activities, exercises, and tasks is another effective method. This hands-on approach allows mentees to apply their learning, practice their skills, and demonstrate their competence. It creates a dynamic and interactive environment where mentees can actively participate and learn through experience.

Being aware of the resources available at whatever institution or place of work you are is important. If you are not aware of all the resources, knowing who to point the mentee to is also helpful.

I encourage my mentee to share their opinions and ideas, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment. It's important to create a safe and non-judgmental space where they feel comfortable expressing themselves. Their unique perspectives and insights can enrich our discussions and broaden their learning experience. While supporting their comfort zone is crucial, I also challenge my mentee to step out of it. I encourage them to try new things, take calculated risks, and learn from their failures. This helps them develop resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset.

Genuinely care about people. Invest yourself in them. When they tell you a story, engage as if it matters and is impacting yours. This way, you can celebrate their successes. You can be on their side, and they won't feel alone when struggling. Show them that you are there to help them so they can flourish, and you have no motive. Show expression because you actually mean it!

Avoid giving unsolicited advice. Instead, encourage your mentee to reflect and problem-solve on their own. Ask thought-provoking questions that guide them towards finding their own solutions. This empowers them to take ownership of their learning and development, which can lead to greater self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-efficacy. Additionally, maintain integrity and confidentiality. Respect their privacy and honor any boundaries they may have set. This reinforces the trust within the mentoring relationship and creates a safe environment for open dialogue and growth.