Find Your Yoda
By Marissa Merkt
Recently Dr. Mary Hillanbrand came to speak at Shippensburg University for the non-traditional student week. The main point she stressed throughout her lecture was the importance of having a mentor or “Yoda”. While this was targeted toward mainly non-traditional students, I think it can apply to traditional students as well.
The word mentor came from Homer’s Odyssey when the character Mentor was responsible for helping Telemachus become a man. Today mentors are helpful in achieving goals and facilitating learning experiences. My 1982 Oxford dictionary defines mentor as an “experienced and trusted adviser”.
I personally had a mentor for my first two years of college and am forever thankful for the guidance she gave me in the rocky start of undergraduate education. We met through the Christian FUSE group on campus and she soon became like a big sister to me. I felt I could go to her whenever I was having any boy trouble or just needed advice on juggling everything. Now that she is graduated I feel like a part of me is missing.
Needless to say, Dr. Hillanbrand is right when she says that a mentor is good to have. So here’s some things to be on the look-out as you endeavor on your hunt for your Yoda.
- Has their head on their shoulders
- Encourages you to pursue your dreams
- Good at dishing out advice
- Has time to devote to you
- Active listener
Good luck on your search for your Yoda. Don’t be discouraged if it takes you a little bit. Remember, the force is with you.
Sources:
Dr. Hillanbrand’s “The Journey of a Lifetime” lecture
The Concise Oxford Dictionary