Mentorship plays a vital role in education. A good mentor can significantly impact the academic success of the student. Education is all about learning, and it is not simply limited to books. It goes beyond the written word; it is about developing one’s morals and ways of thinking. It is a delicate stage where one is developing themselves and their worldview.
At BBBSLI, we recognize how important education is for each child. We have specialized programs that are designed to help young adults with their academic endeavors. Our mentorship programs help in facilitating the overall development of our Littles. We believe in fostering empathy and emotional intelligence in them so they lead a fulfilling life. There are various benefits that mentoring provides and one of the most important ones is academic success.
Benefits of Mentorship in Education
Mentoring in education is essential. It is not only something that facilitates academic development but also emotional and mental development. Mentorship plays an important role in the lives of young individuals. BBBSLI lays special emphasis on ensuring mentorship for all young individuals. Here are the few educational benefits that Littles derive from being mentored.
- Enhances Academic Performance – Mentors certainly help in the improvement of the academic performance of the mentees. 92% of our Littles had substantial improvement in their academic life after being guided by a Big. They set their academic goals and felt encouraged and motivated to work harder towards them. Bigs also helped them with their studies and homework, resulting in overall better performance in academic
- Increases Attendance – Littles were more likely to attend school after being mentored by a Big. When students are guided by mentors, they are more likely to understand the importance of school and attend it more regularly. A lot of students who are otherwise averse to the idea of attending schools start going once they have proper guidance on what to do there.
- Development of Positive Attitude – Mentors often assist mentees in developing a more positive attitude towards school and teachers. It is not uncommon for many students to feel negative about their studies and their school life. However, with the help of mentors, it is possible for students to develop a more positive attitude. Mentors help them understand various aspects that facilitate the development of positivity in students.
- Career Guidance – Mentors also provide mentees with career guidance. It is easier for Bigs to tell Littles about the possible career options based on their interests. As mentors have more experience in life, it becomes easier for them to guide mentees on how they should go about their careers. They also provide them with tips about what to do and what not to do during interviews, jobs, etc.
- Having a Support System – Having a mentor is like having a support system. These are the people who are always there to guide you and support you throughout your decisions. In times of confusion, mentors are the ones who help mentees see a clear picture of their situation. They also listen to the problems of the students and provide them with appropriate guidance and support to help them make informed decisions.
- Helps in Boosting Confidence – Our mentorship programs are all about empowerment. Our Bigs make sure that they are doing everything they can to boost the confidence of the Littles they are paired with. They empower them to feel more confident at school and in their ability to study productively and perform in exams. Mentors are a huge influence, and their encouragement can do wonders for the confidence of the mentees.
- Builds a Trusted Network – Mentees, being older, have a wide network that mentees can benefit from. The mentor is, of course, a trusted part of the mentee’s network, but with adequate help, this network can be further expanded. Mentors can make sure that mentees get in touch with trusted individuals who can help them grow and develop themselves.
- Provides New Perspective – Since mentors and mentees come from different backgrounds, both their perspectives and experiences differ greatly. Mentors have a lot of life experience and help mentees get a newer and better perspective on various aspects of life. They can especially help mentees get more perspective on situations related to school and help in better resolution of issues that may arise there.
- Presents New Opportunities – Mentors can also help mentees find new opportunities. They can use their network to create many opportunities that benefit the mentees. They can also encourage mentees to pursue different courses or opportunities that might be beneficial for them.
Responsibilities of Mentors to Drive Academic Success
It is extremely important for mentors to be mindful when they are with their mentees. To drive their academic success, it is important that they guide them with utmost care. We choose our Bigs carefully. They go through a background check to ensure they are in a position to guide Littles effectively.
We also make sure that both Bigs and Littles are matched perfectly based on their interests. The match is also supervised by us in the initial stages to ensure Littles and Bigs are both benefitting from the experience. Bigs and Littles engage in various activities that help them bond with each other. Building trust is essential so that Bigs can help Littles with various aspects of their academic and personal lives. Here are a few ways in which Bigs help Littles with their academic success.
- They guide them with their schoolwork and homework.
- They talk to Littles about their issues in school and provide them with solutions that can help them solve them.
- Bigs also makes sure that Littles are moving toward creating a sustainable and fulfilling life.
- Bigs help Littles with career decisions and guide them toward various aspects of career development.
- Bigs also provide Littles with help with their academic difficulties.
How BBBSLI Mentorship Helps Littles with Education
BBBSLI has a number of programs for young individuals who are currently in school. We provide exclusive one-on-one mentoring for students between the ages of 7 and 16. Our efforts are directed towards providing guidance to all our Littles to provide them with sustainable tools to further their education and careers.
- 100% of Littles graduated from High school.
- 52% of Littles admitted that their Big prevented them from dropping out.
- 77% of Littles improved their performance in school because of their Big.
- None of the Littles were retained, and all got promoted.
- No Littles were involved with Juvenile Justice.
To Sum Up
Mentorship is an essential exercise that helps improve one’s education. Mentors have immense influence that can help mentees perform better at school. Many Littles found being under a Big extremely useful for their academic careers. They developed more confidence and an enhanced interest in academics. There are also lower chances of them dropping out. A lot of students who get appropriate mentoring tend to complete their education and develop an interest in the further development of their careers. Mentors are certainly a huge part of the life of mentees. They can help in their academic and personal development. At BBBSLI, we are dedicated to ensuring that all our Littles are being guided appropriately and achieve success and happiness in life.
