Encouragement, Positivity, and College Mentor (National Mentoring Month 2026)

To be a college mentor, one must focus and organize one's thoughts before explaining about educational experiences. Also, practicing listening to someone else about their educational goals, educational experiences, and getting to know them. Be honest, helpful, and optimistic about going to college and about finding a career. As well as making them feel safe as they connect with you during conversations. Being a mentor is about sharing job experiences with someone who is studying your career. 

Nonetheless, it is also an opportunity to speak about educational setbacks. Encourage mentees to improve, learn, and to develop job skills. Be available, aware, and make eye contact when socializing with others. Arrive promptly to speak to them that look up to you as a mentor. Have boundaries as a mentor. 

The boundaries can consist of the hours they can contact you. Also, be aware of how they speak to you and the way they write to you in emails. Often writing tangents, complaining, and criticizing you for unknown reasons can damage the relationship between the mentor and the mentee. Keep in mind their educational level, their emotional wellness, and what they are experiencing in college. Here is a brief list to keep in mind as a mentor:

1. Have a set time limit for setting mentor hours and to prevent late night telephone calls. 
2. Let them know your communication preferences and the frequency for emailing each other, telephone calls, and in-person conversations.
3. Limit the days of communicating with your mentee such as the weekends especially if the weekends are your family time. 
4. Be aware of how you communicate with them and your body language. 
5. Make a list of rules for both of you to follow before being a mentor to them. 
6. Make an agreement or a contract for mentoring them for six months or a year. 
7. Remind the mentee the time, day, and the topics that will be covered during the mentoring session. 
8. Have a calendar, a schedule, and limit your topics during your mentoring session. 
9. Celebrate National Mentor Month with other mentors. 
10. Be respectful, professional, and practice honesty when communicating. 

Continue mentoring and inspiring the mentees without breaking boundaries. Use quotes, positive affirmations, and inspirational stories to motivate the mentee. Ask critical thinking questions and hypothetical questions to them. As well as being prepared, adjust your schedule, and be ready for last-minute changes to your schedule. Take notes and follow-up with the assigned mentees. 

Use motivational phrases, quotes, or words to help them understand their strengths. Sign a pledge for National Mentor Month and get resources to become a mentor. Avoid giving financial advice, relationship advice, or other personal topics. To be a mentor, it is necessary to understand, listen, provide inspiration, support, and to guide them to their achievements. Here are websites with more information about National Mentoring Month. 

 

Amanda Dudman Blog-Mentoring A to Z Series-Blog Managing Boundaries:

Mentoring A to Z Series Blog: Managing boundaries — Amanda Dudman

National Mentoring Month:

National Mentoring Month | MENTOR

Mentor Loop-Tips-Running Successful Mentoring Program:

TOP 10 Tips for Running a Successful Mentorship Program

12 Tips and Tricks for First Time Mentoring:

Mentoring Tips: Complete Guide for First-Time Mentoring

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