An academic mentor goes far beyond the mere realm of teaching and into an increasingly important part of a student’s educational journey: their well-being and intellectual understanding. Johnny Reynolds, the Tutoring Coordinator at Gabbitas, expands further on what an academic mentor is.
What is an Academic Mentor?
Where classroom teachers and tutors focus on subject-specific teachings; academic mentors adapt their conduct to specifically address individual needs and concerns.
For many students, time spent often favours learning subject-specific knowledge over developing strong study skills, leaving a crucial element of learning overlooked. Academic mentors deal with this critical part of learning, aiming to push for active, cognitive learning processes through an unbiased, broad perspective.
With a proper understanding of learning methods, such as note taking, essay writing, forming arguments and contextualising knowledge, students can truly thrive and make the most out of their university experience. This, combined with pastoral support, sharing their experience and developing independence in academia, students leave university well-rounded and resilient.
What do academic mentors do?
Academic mentors focus on practical and theoretical teachings, balancing the dichotomy from knowledge and learning skills through to social aptitude and commutation skills.
This mentorship means that students are given insight into their learning processes far beyond the syllabus or textbook. Introducing students to new study skills and learning techniques early on in their educational journey can better equip them both in the classroom and in life.
An academic mentor can introduce students to; Note-taking skills and, subsequently, study skills for essay writing, organisational skills and revision strategies are also taken into account to improve learning efficiency and time management.
Mentors can also break down the lexical difference between a good and significantly great construction of an argument. Further from writing, mentors are able to advise on presentation skills and public speaking ability, a crucial part of any young person’s educational foundation for future employment.
To further educational success, academic mentors are a great asset in transitioning from one school level to another. From prep school to secondary school or from A-levels to university, they can open up opportunities and discourse that would not otherwise be available to students.
These include being able to recommend extra-curricular activities, advising on how to stand out at university applications and suggesting work experiences and internships that can make all the difference.
Do you need an academic mentor?
In the post-pandemic education landscape, it is ever more critical to recognise the disruption in students’ educational journeys. Having been deprived of social interactions and interpersonal skills both within their education and extensively in all aspects of their malleable lives, mentoring plays a vital role in rebuilding the stagnancy caused by COVID-19.
Rebuilding young people’s confidence, self-resilience, and self-responsibility, both socially and in education, is a crucial starting point in re-entering the physical classroom and schoolwork.
Combining tuition with academic mentorship can be the best possible action for extensive intellectual development. Gabbitas mentors and tutors are highly equipped to tackle both subject-specific areas of improvement in combination with a broad academic and psychological development of critical life skills to facilitate a supportive space for any student.
To enquire, please get in touch today by visiting the tutoring page or call +44 203 026 7443.
