1

ATMentors Monthly [october]

AgVentures Houston On September 10th a group of 23 students and 3 mentors traveled to Houston to explore the city and learn more about the ATMentors program! The group visited NASA, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Natural Science, and the Downtown Aquarium. Students got to meet fellow student and were introduced to this great mentoring opportunity. The students enjoyed their time and we look forward to launching more AgVentures in the future. Here are a few quotes from the students about their favorite part of the experience:

• GettingconnectedwithmoreA&M students and the chance to visit new places. • Meetingmorepeoplefromdifferent cultures and learning from them. • Experiencingafamiliarcityinamore fun/exciting way.

A special thanks to ATMentors Bonnie Bustos, Cruz Rios and Jatan Vyas

for traveling with the students!

Howdy! Classes are in full swing, Aggie Football is here and there will hopefully be a cool breeze in the air soon, it is officially fall in Aggieland!

In this month’s issue of ATMentors Monthly, make sure you read [What’s New with Mentors?] to catch up on our plans for 2012. Also, [Mark Your Calendar] with some dates and events occurring within the next few months.

2 3

[What’s New with Mentors?]New Mentors... Do you know someone that you think would be a great mentor for our Aggies? E-mail ATMentors@tamu.edu or have them submit the New Mentor Application online

at mentors.tamu.edu

mentors corner

ATMentors is now on Facebook! Please search us under ATMentors and like the page! We can utilize this social network to reach more Aggies and potential mentors!

[Tips for October]This section contains hints and resources that will help you while mentoring students.

What’s the best way to give advice for students that are homesick?

•Allow them to feel homesick. Some students may not want to admit how much they miss home. They may perceive their feelings as immature and get angry at themselves. If they feel homesick, tell them to give themselves a break and understand that their feelings are normal.

•Keep busy. Encourage students to get involved in campus activities, join a study group, hit the gym, something that will take their mind of being away from home.

•Make friends. College campuses can be very lonely places. Students need to take the time to explore campus activities, taking with classmates, joining a University social network group or page, these are great ways to make friends on campus.

•Get off to a good start with the roommate. They don’t need to be BEST friends, but getting along with their roommate will help the student in the long run, they are stuck with them the whole semester, better to get along than not right?

•Communicate (in moderation) with family. Have the student talk to their family every now and again, but make sure it is in moderation. Talking to them once in a while gives the student comfort, but also not talking to them everyday gives the student independence and the feeling of being on their own.

•Talk to a mentor or counselor. THAT’s YOU ATMENTOR! Be there to make sure the student feels comfortable and be an ear to listen. If their situation sounds a bit more serious and is leading to depression, please refer them to Student Counseling Services.

•Avoid rash decisions. When people are depressed or overwhelmed, they sometimes make big decisions that are unwise. Reassure the student this is not the time to drop out, transfer to a different school, end a long term relationship, or anything else of major consequence. Again, for more serious situations please refer them to Student Counseling Services

•Time. It may take a semester or even more before the student stops feeling homesick. It takes time to adjust to major life changes like this one, keep telling them to hang in there!

Welcome NEW Mentors!

Angela Allenswoth, Assistant Director of Admissions, Academic Affairs

Timothy Powers, Director, Aggie Honor System Office, Academic Affairs

Cruz Rios, Program Advisor, Multicultural Services

Cristina Vela, Academic Advisor, College of Liberal Arts

Jarrod Druery, Academic Advisor, College of Education and Human Development

Melanie Weiser, Program Advisor, MSC Student Programs, Student Affairs

A special thanks to Jill Vogel of Student Activities for presenting on how to get students involved and providing some great resources for our mentors at our Welcome Back Breakfast September 12th. Please see the attached slideshow of the presentation for the infomation or if you missed it!

Interested in presenting at these monthly functions? Email us at atmentors@tamu.edu

The Office of New Student Programs is excited to share with you this year’s Amplify schedule. Amplify is a collaborative, campus-wide effort designed to assist first-year freshman, transfer and sophomore Aggies develop skills and become aware of resources to help them overcome challenges and to make the most of their Texas A&M experience. This year, we have 95 programs from which students can choose! Please visit amplify.tamu.edu to see the full schedule for this year!

We would appreciate your assistance in getting the word out about this exciting program! Please consider sharing information about Amplify with your mentees. Also, we would be happy to provide you with printed brochures to distribute.

4 Have suggestions, comments, or an addition to the newsletter? Please e-mail ATMentors@tamu.edu or call 979.845.5826.

[Campus Highlight]Student Life Studies

The mission of Texas A&M’s Student Life Studies is to enhance student learning and development by providing assessment and planning leadership to the Division of Student Affairs and to student organizations. The department actively shares knowledge about students and their co-curricular experiences.Their services include: • Assessment • Educational Presentations • Student Organization Assessment Center • Comprehensive Review Program

Cain Hall C321862-5624sls@tamu.edu

This section contains helpful hints and resources that will help you while mentoring.

10.3.11 Study Skills for College Success This is a great workshop to share with your students! 3pm-4pm Cain Hall B103 amplify.tamu.edu

10.19.11 ATMentor Luncheon “Brown Bag” 12pm-1pm Presenter: Student Life Studies Rudder 308 PLEASE RSVP to atmentors@tamu.edu by Monday, October 17th

10.27.11 Time Management and Procrastination This is a great workshop to share with your students! 2pm-3pm Cain Hall B103 amplify.tamu.edu

[Mark Your Calendar]Important Dates & Events