Examining the role of faculty mentorship and its impact on student success

  (photo credit: INGIMAGE)
(photo credit: INGIMAGE)

Today's academic environment can be incredibly competitive, leaving students needing robust, versatile support to help them successfully achieve their goals. As early as high school, students are expected to earn high grades, excel on standardized tests, and maintain fulfilling relationships and personal lives. As almost any adult knows, this can be a nearly impossible task, and young students can benefit from the advice of older, more experienced faculty members. 

Many people who have gone on to achieve great things can point to the words of a teacher or other faculty mentor who helped guide and shape them. Explore the role of faculty mentorship from high school through college and how it impacts student success in the long run.

What Falls Under “Faculty Mentoring?”

Faculty mentorship can be a broad category covering a wide variety of services and responsibilities that will likely leave a mark on students’ lives today and for many years. However, the type and intensity of faculty mentorship that benefits students most depends on numerous factors.

According to a survey cited by the National Society of High School Scholars, college students benefitted most from working with faculty mentors who demonstrated an interest in their life goals and dreams. In contrast, those who participated in research projects alongside a college professor did not experience the same benefits. The report suggests that students gained more from interacting with their mentors in informal, supportive environments rather than completing tasks such as data entry or lab work during a supervised research project.  

The data indicates that the most successful faculty mentors forge a personal relationship with the student, aiming to identify and support the student’s life goals and long-term dreams. Faculty mentors can be a crucial factor in future success by challenging students to work hard toward their goals and encouraging them throughout the process. 

How Faculty Mentors Benefit Students

Students working with faculty mentors may see a wide range of short- and long-term benefits. One primary advantage is students’ increased confidence in themselves and their abilities. Faculty members involved in mentorship programs may also experience a boost in confidence from passing on their knowledge to the next generation. 

Faculty mentorship programs may also result in students’ improved academic performance, with fewer course failures, higher grade point averages, and a broader understanding of the coursework related to the mentor’s specialty. In addition to academic support, faculty mentors may also provide emotional support to bolster mental health. A dedicated mentor often listens when the student experiences difficulties and provides encouragement or moral support when students need it most. Turning to a mentor to recover from a problem or mistake can also teach students resilience and responsibility, building their capability to handle similar situations in the future.

Working with a faculty mentor may help students develop skills that will also benefit them in the workplace. For example, a student may learn communication skills and gain valuable career advice during a faculty mentorship program. Participating in a faculty mentorship program may also teach the student problem-solving skills and how to think critically within the mentor's field of study.

Exploring Professional Homework Help

While a faculty mentor can benefit students, many may require additional help beyond the school setting. Websites like WriteMyEssays offer homework assistance from professional writers who can help students complete assignments from the high school to the Ph. D. level.

Whether life gets too busy or students can’t find inspiration, turning to a team of professional writers to jump-start a vital project can mean the difference between passing and failing grades. However, this task falls beyond the typical scope of a faculty mentor, and companies that offer professional homework help step in to fill the gap.

Students often experience difficulty streamlining their thoughts and creating a logical, smooth format while writing research papers. Professional writers can help students condense their ideas into a more readable format with easy transitions or provide reliable proofreading and editing to ensure assignments are polished and refined.

Conclusion

Faculty mentorship can make an enormous difference in student success rates. A compassionate, dedicated mentor can help equip students for the challenges they will face in the future while preparing them for the realities of the situations they may encounter in higher education or the workplace. Additional help is available from professionals for an affordable fee when students require extra assistance outside the classroom. 

This article was written in cooperation with Sofia Gibson