January 27, 2013

January 27, 2013

Making Differences and Connections

"We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee."
- Marian Wright Edelman

Being a Hixson Peer Mentor is about making a difference.  I thought that this quote by Marian Wright Edelman exemplified that.  We need to strive to make little differences one day at a time, whether by giving one a simple smile or a word of encouragement, which will eventually make all the difference in the world.

On Wednesday this past week, I happened upon a professor I had during fall 2011.  He remembered me and asked how I was doing.  We talked for a good five minutes and it was extremely reassuring that while I remember not doing the best in his class, that I still made some type of impression on him so that he would remember me over a year later.  Lesson of the week: Sit in the front row and talk to your professors.  It makes our big university feel that much smaller; that you're just not a number of 31,000+ students - you're an actual person.  It makes going to class more enjoyable, to me at least, because I know that the professor knows who I am and wants me to succeed.  It gives me more motivation to work on assignments that may be more tedious than others because I don't want to let the professor down by not doing well in their class.

Another good reason to talk to your professors, especially professors in your major content area, is that they will be potentially good references on your resume.  Set up those connections early: visit their office hours, ask for help on an assignment, discuss current events or historical events to see what their opinion is - maybe you'll find a perspective that you haven't seen before. 

Also, in light of the recent ice storm, there's good news: there are approximately 52 days until spring!
Keep warm!
Katie