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 I tend to think that it is difficult if not impossible for an adviser not to let some of his or her values come to light in the advising appointment. Advisers need to let their humanness show through so students see them as real authentic individuals. I don't think advisers can play act with their students. Academic advisers are real people who are happy, sad, angry, and they self-disclose the whole range of human emotions. If we don't share our real authentic self, students won't trust us.For an adviser to be effective, he or she must also be present in the advising appointment. Sharing and trust are both important attributes that occur between individuals. The student says, “Here is my dilemma.” The adviser might say, “This is how I personally dealt with that problem when I was a student.” If an adviser is trying to help a student see the error of his or her ways, it could be done tactfully using I statements instead of attacking the student. For example, an adviser might say, “I worry that you will be suspended, John, when I see you failing three of your four courses.” I believe that true authentic communication is the key to establishing a lasting and fulfilling relationship with students. ~ Bob Lang, Indiana University East, July 6, 2005 When I first started advising, I wanted to make everyone happy. I soon realized that the real answers, though difficult to present sometimes, are what create valuable interactions with students.Because of the length of time it took for me to “figure it out,” my students seem to relate very well. Additionally, when I “call” them out on things such as time management and hours spent partying vs. studying, they seem to respect that and listen (for the most part). I think that advisers have to be genuine, honest, and approachable—there is no way that our individual frame of reference cannot come into play in our jobs. I value an education and I wish someone had been there to help guide me—so I think the students appreciate my guidance (well, they tell me they do anyway!). ~ Kara E. Lattimer, Virginia Tech, July 31, 2005 The Mentor is published by Penn State's Division of Undergraduate Studies Available online at www.psu.edu/dus/mentor/ Privacy and Legal Statements | Copyright | © The Pennsylvania State University | All rights reserved | |
