As a first-year student starting college, it can be daunting to leave everything you know for a new place with new people. This is a hard adjustment, whether it is sleeping in a new place, adjusting to new classes or finding yourself alone when struggling. This is why the Peer Mentors of Wartburg are important. Peer Mentors personally check in on those students and act as a resource for whatever they need. Their presence makes a big impact, though their care and attention often go unnoticed.
However, attention is not why Peer Mentors are involved in students’ adjustment to college. There are deeper reasons for wanting to help students. Some had a mentor that inspired them or they like working with others. Third-year Tyler Panos, a Peer Mentor at Wartburg, sought out more time with the first years he had as an Orientation Leader. The role allowed him to be a resource for them as they navigate their first semester and continue growing connections.
As a Peer Mentor, a typical day for Panos consisted of contacting the professor of his first-year seminar class for the week’s schedule, coordinating aid and sharing presentations with his mentees. These presentations varied from breathing exercises to resources on campus.
“It was really just checking in beforehand, and when class time was going on, kind of gauging the rooms and how everybody was doing,” says Panos.
Along with his day-to-day responsibilities, he held multiple one-on-one meetings with students, discussing adjustments and providing any assistance.
In addition, Panos is president of Ritterchor Choir, involved in two other choirs and employed at the Konditorei. Taking on so many roles has made him a strong and adaptable leader. His music education studies provide him with lessons and experience. Becoming a Peer Mentor lets him work with students involved in all kinds of activities such as sports, choir, theatre and more.
“[This] really helped me get back in touch with that side of me… being able to relate to everybody and not just choir nerds and theater nerds,” says Panos. “I think that’s that really helped me kind of be like, ‘maybe I can do the teaching thing.’”
While Panos works with a full class of students, the attention he gives each never varies. He truly cares for and listens to each of them.
“Ty was so awesome as a Peer Mentor and really cared about how we were doing mentally here,” says Maddy Moony, a first-year student in Panos’s class. “It was super important to him that we were getting all the help we needed.”
She also attested to his passion for his class.
“I think he is super personable and so kind and accepting of all of us and wanted the best for all of his students,” says Moony.
Panos also shared advice for those interested in becoming involved on campus next year, whether an Orientation Leader or a Peer Mentor.
“Give it your absolute all, because the first-years deserve it,” says Panos.
Peer mentors play a big role beyond the classroom and just in their student’s first year. The relationships they create have an impact on their students, becoming someone they trust and want to talk to. They are essential to the success of first year students and inspire them to develop their character.
