Written By; Alexandra Ellington
Bob Practor once said, “A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.” Every member of the SSLT acknowledges the importance of bringing out the drive in students to reach their fullest potential. Here, we focus on every students’ academic achievement and college/career readiness by taking time out of the day to hold one on one mentorship sessions for students in need of it. During said sessions, students meet individually with an SSLT member to further their learning, receive advice, and overall better understand the curriculum they are given. While resource centers, counselor meetings, and advisory periods are also great resources, the SSLT understands the value of student connection and peer intervention. During peer intervention, students also have a way to get further connected to the school through clubs, activities, study groups, and other social outlets.
The SSLT website is another resource that can be utilized to gain an understanding of college, scholarship programs, advanced placement courses, and overall adjustment to Sandburg and preparation for life after high school. Other blog posts their personal experiences and relate to students. Knowing that other people are in the same shoes as you help you realize that yes, your goals are attainable. Podcasts are also available for students to listen to and gain understanding from. These podcasts cover topics such as mindfulness, elective courses, and college preparation. These media resources are filled with tips on how to better your high school experience and prepare students for their future endeavors. Whenever I found myself struggling in school, I was able to meet with a member and receive personalized aid to raise my class grades. I also have found myself listening to podcasts to receive advice on staying organized and stress-free during the school year. The utilization of such resources is essential to furthering your education and making your high school experience much more enjoyable.
The most important part of these mentorship programs and resources is student interaction. For the SSLT to be able to help a student reach their full potential, it is vital that one is motivated and willing to challenge themselves to achieve self-improvement. These resources are only available if you choose to reach out. You take control of the outcome of your efforts. Every single student has the potential to improve and achieve their goals. Anything worth achieving is never easy, but the reward one receives makes the hard work truly pays off.