How I became a peer mentor

Picture this: I was a freshman, a scared one. Homesick, constantly socially anxious, and very broke. I remember being in my second week of school, crying most nights, calling my mom and telling her to come pick me up. She reminded me that I had resources here to help with my homesickness, and I immedietly reached out to my Peer Mentor Kelsey. I explained to her that I was having a hard time adjusting and she offered to get lunch with me one random day. I agreed, and she helped me talk through my fears and told me she’d always be there for me, and to lean on my friends. From then on I focused my energy into the positive aspects of UMW, rather than my fears.

Come the spring semester, I had stayed in contact with Kelsey and been to a few of her events to make better connections. She was no longer my peer mentor after winter break, but was still a mentor and a friend to me. When I saw an advertisement to interview for UMW New Student Programs and become a peer mentor, I didnt immedietly think that was right for me. I talked with a few friends who were considering it, and then remembered my experience in the previous semester.

I applied for the position, and thought that it could give me the chance to be the change for another student like Kelsey was for me. The chance to help the freshman adjust to school in the last 2 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. It’s provided me with amazing connections with other peer mentors, and friendships with incoming students. Working for admissions and New Student programs allows me to interact with potential students in every step of their process, and admire all their growth.

“They don’t know what they don’t know,” is a quote form work that will always stick with me. Now, I’ve been a tour guide and a peer mentor for a few years, and love my jobs and the frinedships they’ve brought into my UMW experience. Especially when it coes to recognizing my own growth our of social anxiety and into someone more driven and inspired.

If you’ve also visited my aboutme page..youll see some more things that I’ve gotten involved in here at UMW. Check out why you should join UMW girl gains on my youtube/soundcloud!