A Wonderful Peer Mentor :)

Reflect on the role of the peer mentor in the INQ class: what works?

What does having a PM add? What have you learned from your PM?

The first day I walked in INQ I had no idea what the class even consisted of. I had heard by rumor that INQ was somewhat like a second English class, & that the same students in my English class were in my INQ class as well. I soon found out the true reasoning behind why most freshman students are required to take an INQ class. Through your INQ class you learn about your SCSU community, how to get involved, and how to manage your time & your new life during your freshman year. College is a huge adjustment and can be extremely overwhelming for some students. That is why this class was designed: to help students adjust to their first year experience and take advantage of what Southern has to offer.

Kaitlyn Hoffmann is our INQ classes Peer Mentor. She deals a lot with how to get involved on campus and how to make the most out of what Southern has to offer for students.  

Definition:   Peer- a person who is of equal standing with another in a group

                    Mentor- a trusted counselor or guide

 Just like us, Kaitlyn is a student here at Southern Connecticut State University (our peer) & though she may not be a freshman, she too had to endure the nerve-racking transition from high school home life to COLLEGE. She explained to our class how difficult the transition was for her during freshman year…before she got involved. Once she got involved she had a new outlook for what the “college experience” is truly like.

As a mentor she guides us in the direction we want to peruse with confidence and encouragement. At the beginning of every week she always informs the when upcoming events will be taking place, if we are interested.  I feel her role is revolved around school spirit! But at the same time she brings an informative, structured role to the class room. She encourages us to make the most out of college by becoming a part of your SCSU community.

Having a peer mentor I feel lightens up the mood of the average “structured” learning environment. Her presence adds a lot to the class, but in a relaxed non-overbearing way. She consistently keeps the class up to date with events taking place on campus, which I personally appreciate and take full advantage of.

For Example: This upcoming weekend is Homecoming and she asked the class if we would like to participate in the banner contest. We came together as a class and brainstormed great ideas and used a lot of creativity to make an awesome banner! It was fun to see the class come together and get excited about what we created. If it wasn’t for Kaitlyn’s great idea for the class to get involved in the contest, our class would have missed out on a great boning experience that also incorporated creativity as well.  

I honestly and truly enjoy having Kaitlyn be a part of our class as our Peer Mentor!

Kaitlyn showing off her SCSU Spirit!

picture by Kaitlyn Hoffmann