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My why
I decided to become a peer mentor because I wanted to help the Class of 25 the same way my peer mentor helped me last year. As a freshman during 2020, college was hard. I know what it's like to be in a place where you don't know anyone and are transitioning into a new phase of life independently. I hope to help the mentees in whatever way I can, even if it's small.

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I remember back in Freshman year I was quite overwhelmed when I was bombarded with tons of information for classes, clubs, emails and had no clue what was going on. However, having a peer mentor guide me on what to focus my attention on helped me learn little by little on how to adapt to college life. Plus, I just really want to be able to connect with my mentees and just help them adjust to their freshman year. I hope that being a pretty positive person overall, I would be able to make a positive impact on them and help them start of their freshman year with a good beginning.

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The reason that I wanted to be a peer mentor in the first place is to be a helpful in the terms of being there for the people the way I had that same help my freshman year. So I want to be that person that people go to for help in the terms finding those resources that they need to succeed. In general give back into the aggie community.

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Back when I was a freshman myself, my transition into the college environment at Texas A&M was fairly rough during the first two weeks of classes. I struggled to mentally cope with exam or quiz grades that were not on par with my expectations and was constantly anxious about my overall course grades throughout my first semester. Here I am now, fully equipped with the knowledge of what I should expect, all accessible resources on campus, and academic strategies that give me peace of mind at the start of each semester. This is all thanks to Peer Teachers, Teaching Assistants, and Peer Mentors that helped me along the way on my college journey thus far. With that in mind, I want to utilize the wisdom and experiences I gained from them and pass them on to incoming Aggie freshmen. I also feel quite passionate about helping out people who generally have mental struggles. If I could positively impact even just one student's academic success/experiences, that accomplishment would make both me and my mentee feel happy and fulfilled - permanently!

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Helping freshman find their home at A&M is one of my passions, as a huge campus is not easy to navigate. Being a biology major in particular is no easy task and requires a lot of encouragement from others. I would love to, as a senior in this major, be able to have to opportunity to pour into others cups the affirmation that anything is possible if you set your mind to it:)

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My why for becoming a peer mentor started my freshman year here at Texas A&M. I remember feeling overwhelmed by all the new resources available to me. I was stressed enough trying to figure out my classes but trying to get involved and use all the resources available was daunting. That is when I was introduced to Hullabaloo U. My peer mentor Caroline always made sure to tell me about organizations and clubs she thought I would fit well in and always sent me links to resources I desperately needed. Caroline made me realize that I wanted to be able to mentor and help others with the knowledge I now have. I strongly believe everyone should have a mentor in their life and I want to be that role model/support system for freshman just learning how to navigate college. - Madison Lowrey

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I want to help the freshmen navigate through their first time here at A&M and help them not to feel overwhelmed as I did my freshmen year. My peer mentor was amazing and helped me to navigate how to study for my classes and encouraged me towards new experiences. My peer mentor was amazing, and I hope to return the favor by helping someone in the ways she helped me. At the end of the day, my why for being a peer mentor is to help the freshmen to the best of my ability through the guidance of this team!

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I love paying it forward and helping others! Freshman year can be extremely daunting in a new town, with new people, new independence, and new adulthood. Even though we go to a school with one of the largest student populations in the nation, it is easy to feel more alone than ever. I hope I can be a friendly face for my mentees and help guide them through all the challenges they face throughout freshmen year.

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My why for being a Peer Mentor was curated due to being in the program as a freshman and knowing what I had lacked from that experience. Getting the role as a Peer Mentor I knew that I wanted to make the community between myself and the mentees. I feel that in my life I have always tried to be friendly to every person I meet and hopefully can bring a smile to their face and/or brighten their day. As a Peer Mentor I have gotten this opportunity and countless others to make an impact daily on their life while I have found they impact me daily. Getting to be that support system for them and offer my help in a selfless-service manner has brought me so much joy and passion to continue being a helping hand to as many as I can while also welcoming to the friendliest university of them all.

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Love paying it forward! As a freshman, I encountered many people that showed me resources and shared advice as well as kindness. I would love to be that person for others.

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As a first-generation college student, I had no sense of direction or insight when I was coming into college; I felt overwhelmed and unprepared. By having a mentor my freshman year, I was able to have someone who understood what I was going through and she was able to help guide me throughout the year. She was my saving grace whenever I was confused and needed advice, and a great friend to talk to. She inspired me to become the best version of myself, and I would like to be that same person to the upcoming freshman.

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The reason that I want to be a Peer Mentor is that I value the opprotunity to help, and form relationships with, freshmen. I had a fantastic mentor when I was a freshman. She really helped me in my chemistry classes, and she helped me feel like I had found a home at A&M. This school was not my first choice, and I can understand that perspective. In addition, I was not aware of all the resources A&M had for its students, until my mentor filled me in! I want to ensure that freshmen know those resources exist and reach out to them if they need/want them. I want to "pass it back Ags!" If I can help just one student feel like they belong, then I will feel like I will have achieved my goal!

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I decided to become a peer mentor because I struggled as an incoming freshman and could've benefited from someone being invested in me from the beginning. As a first generation student, I was unsure of my place in college and was under a lot of stress to perform well academically which caused my mental health to decline. Since then, I have grown from my experiences and would like to benefit the incoming Aggies by being a guide and friend to them throughout their college journey. I understand that this semester will be the first time on a college campus to them and I want to provide the necessary resources in order to make the transition period easier for them.

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Throughout my first semester as a freshman, I struggled. Trying to juggle the Corps of Cadets, school, and the loneliness of being away from home was hard. Eventually I left the Corps to try and ease my conflicts, but it made my loneliness even worse. Thus, I want to be a peer mentor, so that others have someone to lean on, talk to, and even seek out advice from when they need it the most.

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My peer mentors during freshman year helped shaped a meaningful first year experience for me. As someone who wasn’t involved in a lot of extracurriculars during high school, I was determined to get involved during college. My mentors helped take initiative by giving me advice and inspiring me with their own stories. I’d like to pay this forward as many freshman struggle to adjust to their college experience as we switch back to in person.

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My freshman year I had absolutely no what I was doing. I am a first generation Aggie, and the first person in my family to go into a University. My freshman year was a very surreal experience, that I could not have gotten through without my peer mentor. Now that I feel comfortable at A&M and as an Aggie, I want to help those who struggled like I did. I want to be a friend for them when they have nowhere else to turn, and brighten their days when they are going through hard times.

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I’m the first in my family to attend Texas A&M. Since I started during the beginning of COVID, it was difficult to transition to college while online. My peer mentor guided me throughout the entire semester to help me succeed and I want to be able to do the same.

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As a first generation student, I struggled with many things my freshman year from personal conflicts to adjusting academically. I had two mentors my freshman year, one was very helpful. She provided me with many resources and was also a friend to me. I felt comfortable asking questions and asking for advice on anything. However, the other mentor I had was not as helpful. I have seen both sides of mentoring relationships and I know what a good and bad mentor looks like. I would like to be that helpful mentor to someone that may be struggling with the same things I struggled with as a freshman.

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College is rough and not great all the time! My peer mentor was there when I needed her. Although we didn’t talk on a daily basis, knowing I had someone to rely on if I needed. It really kept me going.

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Why be peer mentor? Why be a peer mentor when I struggle with my own issues? Why help others when I myself need help sometimes?
Because not everyone shares the same struggles. I have overcome struggles that affect many freshman, and letting them know that there are others who struggle in similar ways can be a huge relief. Because knowing that you are not alone in dealing with mental health issues, home issues, and other struggles is sometimes enough to encourage you to continue, and encouragement to ask for help if you need it.

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My experience with my peer mentor was extremely beneficial, as he provided the necessary guidance and support I needed to navigate the college experience. Personally, I was struggling to plan my academic career and involve myself in organizations I was passionate about. With his help, I was able to adequately prepare myself for college. I hope to provide the same level of support to my future mentees.

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As a first generation student, starting college was completely frightening, not only because I didn't really know anyone that was going to A&M, but simply because I had no clue what I was doing. My parents wanted nothing more than for me to go to college and do well, and on my own it would have been very difficult. My peer mentor helped me out a lot and made the whole transition so much smoother which is what motivated me to become a peer mentor as well.

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I was the only one from my high school to go to Texas A&M, so I know how lonely it can feel to come to such a seemingly large university. I want to help incoming freshmen know that they have people supporting them and that asking for help is perfectly okay. I hope to help them feel encouraged and excited to start their new journey in college.

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I struggled with my first year of college, experiencing new things. However, my freshmen peer mentor really helped me to overcome the hurdles that were beginning to present themselves, and I feel like I was able to succeed because of their assistance. I would like to be able to do that for someone else, guiding them as best as I can.

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Freshman year was an overwhelming transition at times for me, and I really looked up to the mentors I had in student organizations who supported me and helped guide me through my first year of college. Seeing these mentors work to embody selfless service and cultivate a positive community was very inspiring to me. Their authenticity helped me become more confident, find my place on campus, and strive to embody values I find important. I want to give back to the community of A&M freshmen in a similar way through selfless service.

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My freshman year was heavily influenced by my own peer mentor, and I started off college the way I wanted. I hope to spread this positivity to new students, and help them find their balance.

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The reason I want to be a peer mentor is to help those students who don’t quite feel like they belong at A&M. My first year, with covid, it was extremely hard to get involved/make friends. Because I experienced this, I want to be able to help others get involved and find their place at A&M

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Transitioning to college and finding your place in a completely new environment was overwhelming. I was lucky enough to have a support group that guided me through the process and want to be that person for others.

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Aside from the fact I am required to be a peer mentor my senior year, my “why” for being a mentor is because I’d love to be a person freshmen can look to for guidance, support, and leadership. TAMU is such a large campus and the advising/staff to student ratio is awfully small. I’d love to be a middle man and help out my fish however possible.

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I want to be a peer mentor to help guide future generations of Aggies

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I wanted to be a peer mentor to give support to the incoming class like I was given. I’ve seen on social media that a lot of freshman are having significant trouble adjusting to college life after being home for ~2 years now, and I remember how I struggled moving to campus amidst the pandemic. Now more than ever they need our support and guidance!

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The reason I want to be a peer mentors is to help incoming freshman adjust to college. My freshman year was tough for me and I was homesick and had impostor syndrome. I want bring to awareness that these feelings are completely normal and most likely everyone is feeling this way. I want to be a peer mentor so I can ease my mentee’s transition into college and give them all the advice I wish I could have. Being a first generation student, it seems like you’re on your own trying to figure things out, but I want students to have a great mentor to trust and rely on.

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My first year at Texas A&M was impacted by my mentor and how he added ease into my transition to college. He also added a sense of fellowship and made me realize that we are all in this together. Those actions are what I want to be a part of with new incoming freshman and make an impact on them like my mentor did to me.

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My why for becoming a peer mentors is because I feel it is our responsibility as upperclassmen to help all our new Aggies adjust to this brand new lifestyle so they may call college station their new home.

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My first year at A&M was influenced a lot by my mentor, he helped me get around and made me aware of resources and important dates, plus any questions I had, could go to him for answers. Now I am a mentor because I want our first year students to feel welcome, at home, and for them to hace someone that can help then get around their first semester.

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As someone who struggled themselves their freshman year, nothing meant more to me than someone who reached out. One of those was my peer mentor. They were able to give me a push in the right direction and make me feel like I was not alone. They made me feel normal by removing the stresses of everyday life and always made an effort to see me outside of their time. People like these change the world one person at a time, and I would like to continue the chain!

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I wanted to be a peer mentor because I had a difficult time transitioning when I was a freshman into college, and I want to help other students who were going through the same thing as me. It’s always nice to be a friendly face on campus like my peer mentor was for me.

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I had a peer mentor who still helps me and gives me advice to this day. Without her I definitely think my college experience would not have been the same. I want to be the same for others.

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My reason for becoming a peer mentor is that I personally developed a great relationship with my mentor when I was a freshman. Through him I was able to learn how to set proper goals and find ambition. I feel I have a fairly good understanding of what these courses require of students and strongly believe I could provide the students with powerful study strategies that I wish I had learned earlier in my college experience.

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I chose to become a peer mentor so that I can lead and guide those who are unfamiliar to A&M because I want to give my advice and make their transition easier.

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I became a peer mentor because I know what it feels like to be lost as a freshman. Coming into a completely new environment like Texas A&M is stressful and overwhelming, but with a bit of guidance it becomes a lot less scary. When I was a freshman, I had no clue what I was doing and definitely did not feel like I belonged at Texas A&M. With the help of my peer mentor, I was encouraged to go to campus events and join student organizations where I would find my place, and so as a peer mentor I want to pass on this experience which my past mentor left me to new students.

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Just a few months ago I reflected on my why. By the end of the semester I knew my why I was a peer mentor was to help create community for freshmen. This personal goal of mine has only gotten stronger. COVID really sucked (still does), but these freshmen have the chance at a semi-normal year. There last year of high school was most likely, something they didn’t want, and they are ready. These freshmen are ready for community, for college, for classes, and for friends. It’s been too long that we have been looking at one another through a screen and I can’t wait for in person. Another reason my why has grown is because of the internship I am in right now. I researched student organizations and one of my findings was that community is important. The thing that made the student organizations so great for individuals was community, the sense of belonging. I hope to make a community this year in Hullabaloo U.

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I was given many helpful items and advice as a mentee so that encouraged me to want to do the same for other freshman. Knowing that there is someone there that has gone exactly through what you have is comforting and I want to provide for others.

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Chloe, my peer mentor my freshman year helped me make many self discoveries and changes to be better in and out of the classroom. She talked me through difficult times by being a voice of encouragement to keep pursuing my goals. Eventually we hit smooth sailing and she was also able to share about herself to me. I am a peer mentor to give back to my Aggie community.

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I would like to be an anchor to my group of freshmen. I'd like to be someone they can come to about any issues they're having outside of class, and be able to bond with them.

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My freshman year I was started school and I was a little overwhelmed. So many classes and assignments and for the first time everything didn't come so easy as it once did. Your professors flood you with so many resources such as the SPLC, SI, on campus tutoring, etc... I had no idea where to start. My peer mentor and other upperclassmen helped guide me and helped my become a better student that used his time efficiently. So last year when I was a peer mentor I was more experienced and it was gratifying to be able to help others who were once in my same shoes. So I am super excited to be a year more wiser and have a new class of freshman.

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I personally had a difficult time settling in during my freshman year, and my mentor at the time helped to ease a lot of my worries and answer the many questions I had about A&M, classes, and the college experience in general. I wanted to become a peer mentor to offer that same assistance to people who might feel the same anxieties that I did starting out.

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My freshman year getting to know my mentor really helped me navigate through college. I want to be that help to them and hope to make an impact on them.

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I was a peer mentor last year and it was an amazing experience being able to help freshmen students learn about TAMU. I love A&M and I love and want to continue helping freshmen get as excited about being a student here as I am and answering all their questions along the way! I found I even learned some things myself from the students and trying to answer all their questions!

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My first year was the hardest year of my life. I gave up hefty sports scholarships and the opportunity to do what I truly love to do at the collegiate level to pursue my other true passion here at Texas A&M. Throughout that first year, I felt very alone and definitely had second thoughts about the decision I had made. The College of Science provided me with some of the best people and resources I have ever known and I am eternally indebted to them for that. With the knowledge I gained from my first year, I feel empowered to share my experiences with incoming freshman, with the same fears and nervousness that I had, to ensure their success.

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I had a great mentor my first semester here and I would really love to give it back to someone else who needs it. Plus I believe I could do an even better job. I would love to meet my mentees who are facing similar challenges as I did and provide them a better solution. I always ask myself how I would deal with things if I were given a second chance. There’s obviously no such thing as a time machine for you to go back to the past and redo what you’ve done. However, as a peer mentor, I would be able to witness my mentees become the better version of themselves with the help I’ve given through my own experience.

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Looking back, my freshman year of college was my most developmental year and helped me mature immensely. That being said, without the proper guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am today and could’ve possibly been stuck with the wrong crowd. As a peer mentor, I knew I could give back to this program and help freshmen have a smooth transitional phase while minimizing the amount of challenges that may arise with freshman year.

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I chose to become a peer mentor because I really wanted to help others with the transition into college, especially those who may not have a support system in place going in. As a student who was coming from out of state, I have absolutely nobody coming in, and I know just how influential my mentor was for me, and I really wanted to be that person for other people, and pay it forward in a sense.

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My first year I was given a great peer mentor who made me feel welcomed and was always there for guidance. As a first generation college student I am so grateful, and now I would like to be able to have that same impact for somebody else.

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The first thing that I liked about A&M was that everyone was so willing to lift me up. There were people to help me find my classes, help me figure out the ins and outs of my degree, invite me to organization meetings, and overall everyone was so willing to be a resource. My freshman year wouldn't have been as good as it was if not for these other students extending kindness and inclusion. I want to do my part to be that giver of advice, shoulder to lean on, warm smile, or guide through confusing times for as many people who need it and I think being a peer mentor is a great way to start.

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I became a peer mentor because I know how hard it is to transition and I want to help students during this new chapter. My peer mentor was a big part of my transition, and I am so grateful for all their help. I hope to continue this sense of comfort and guidance for other students just like it was for me.

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As a first-generation student, I vividly remember struggling through my freshman year. I decided to be a peer mentor because I want to help my fellow aggies to have a better experience. I want to support them both throughout and after the transition, showing them different resources and opportunities, just like how my peer mentor did for me. I am also excited to make new friends!

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I chose to be a peer mentor to help guide future aggies in the right direction and expand my social skills. Having struggled with loss, depression, and several academic issues on my own as a first-generation college student, I hope to help those in need so that they don't have to deal with the stress that I had. I want students to love the educational experience just as much as I do.

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If I didn't have a peer mentor freshman year, I wouldn't have known how to find other extracurricular activities and valuable study tips. I want to be able to assist the new generation of Aggies in transitioning into college, especially first generation students like me. Meeting the new freshman class will surely be a fun learning experience, for me and for them.

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I chose to be a peer mentor to help ensure that freshmen do not feel alone and hopeless. College can be stressful, but it is also a time full of growth and joy and I want to help them realize this. I also want to help them grow to become the person/student they strive to be.

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During freshman year I found having a peer mentor really helpful, even if I hadn't realized it at the time. The reason why I want to mentor is to provide someone with the same help that I had during what I think is a very difficult transition for many students. I also want to meet people and make them feel welcomed and happy they are part of the aggie family.

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As a freshmen, having people to depend on was always something very important to me especially during the times when you are transitioning to something new. I want to be able to show that support to others and help them grow as a person.

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I chose to apply to be a peer mentor because, I remember feeling like I didn't belong in the biology department after my first semester. My peer mentor believed in my potential even when I didn't, and showed me that I can be a biology major. I remember thinking after making a C on my first biology exam that I was never going to make it in my major. The feeling of failing an exam after spending so many hours studying and preparing was one I became quite familiar with. Bri, my peer mentor, took the time to show me how to study efficiently to become successful. Bri was more than a peer mentor, she became a close friend. I remember she was always there to celebrate the wins, and help comfort me during the losses. She truly made me feel so welcomed not just in the biology department, but at Texas A&M. She showed me constant reassurance that things will work out in the end. Bri taught me that hard work always pays off in the end. As a peer mentor, I want to guide my mentees with the same unconditional kindness that Bri showed me. I want to reassure them that things will work out in the end, and a C on a biology 111 exam won't stop you from going to medical school.

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This is my last semester at A&M and I feel as though I have grown so much over the last four years. I was very unprepared for the start of college and feel as though my experience can greatly benefit the next generation of Aggies, and hopefully prepare them for the journey here.

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Last fall was my first semester at TAMU and adjusting to college (especially during quarantine) wasn’t an easy feat. Unfortunately, I never got to know my peer mentor but I wouldn’t be where I am now without the advice and guidance of the upperclassmen and graduate students I met through my lab. I want to become a peer mentor so that I can provide the same for incoming freshmen and help make their transition to college easier than mine.

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I like the idea of helping freshman utilize their resources and figure out what they want to do. Whether that be adding a minor or major, finding career options they didn't think about, or just help finding organizations they could join. I want to help give them confidence to do things. I was too anxious to do a lot of things my freshman year, I want to help the students branch out.

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I decided to apply to become a peer mentor because I enjoy helping others out where I can. As a first generation Aggie, I didn’t know a thing about Texas A&M, but my mentor helped me a lot during my freshman year. I am so grateful, and I want to pass on her kindness.

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I became a peer mentor to ensure that the new incoming students do not make the same mistakes I made during my freshman year. My peer mentors helped me a lot during my freshman year and I wouldn't be where I'm at right now without their guidance. Additionally, I want to ensure that the new students feel welcomed when they begin their journey at Texas A&M.

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When I came in my freshman year I was one of the students who wasn't particularly interested in getting information from my SCEN course. I felt that I could manage on my own, and struggled to adapt my freshman year as a result. I immediately knew that I wanted to be a peer mentor to help the freshman, like myself, become more receptive to the material we will be sharing so that they don't experience the same problems I did. Moving to a college away from home can be extremely difficult, especially when it's as big as A&M is. I want to be a part of the group that helps make that transition easy.

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I’m a first generation college student. For the past three years in undergrad, I’ve struggled due to lack of knowledge of the resources available on campus. Additionally, I often felt a little out of place in the beginning of my freshman year. Luckily, I had a peer mentor that I considered a big sister to help me out. She is still present in my life. I want to give back to others the way she looked out for me. As a senior, I’ve been through almost all of it so I hope I can be someone they depend on and come to without feeling judged.

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I want to be a safe and supportive person for freshman to turn to when they need help. I know how difficult freshman year can be and I want to make sure that every freshman feels that they can do well in college and that they feel a sense of belonging on campus.

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As someone who’s family did not grow up originally in Texas, I was not familiar with A&M or its traditions so I struggled to get into campus life and find resources my freshman year. I want to be able to offer guidance to these freshman that are going through the same thing as me, so that they don’t feel alone in not knowing and I want to guide them to do their best, because starting at a disadvantage should not mean that they cannot succeed in the future. I also want to help those who are so familiar with A&M culture recognize other things that they might not know so that they have the same opportunity to succeed as well.

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I am a first generation college student and coming into a college I found it incredibly stressful and nerve-racking since I knew absolutely no one here. My peer mentor taught me so much where to find the resources I was looking for and how to find friends and which classes would help with my degree. I absolutely loved it so much that I want to also help out first year students who might be struggling to adjust in college or those who might just need someone to talk to when feeling they are by themselves. I want my mentees to feel as included in Texas A&M as much as I did with the help of my mentor.

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Firstly, I became a peer mentor because of how much I didn't know my Freshman year. The resources, the connections, the best ways through campus, and even the small things were a mystery to me for a long time. I figured if I had someone with experience by my side guiding me through all those difficulties, everything would go much smoother. Secondly, I want to mentor students because it's a passion of mine and fits with my goal of becoming a teacher. Helping and educating anyone willing to learn more is something, to me, that is rewarding on its own.

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Starting college can be daunting for many and come with several challenges. For me, it was especially difficult to meet other students within my major since most of my classes were online. Looking back on my freshman year, my peer mentors have truly made a difference. They offered me the guidance I needed when it came to what classes to take, study tips, research opportunities, and so much more. They really helped me feel integrated into the vast A&M community and navigated me to the resources I needed. My peer mentors played a crucial role in helping me get accustomed to college life and I would love to play that role for incoming students.

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I decided to apply to become a peer mentor because my freshman year was quite the disaster. I throughly enjoyed having a mentor then as she was so helpful in providing me with information to get academic help. Sop many resources that I had no idea existed truly helped me improve my study skills and ultimately my grades. I can only hope to provide the upcoming freshman with information regarding the hundreds of resources TAMU has to offer.

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Coming to Texas A&M from a small town was weird because i wasnt used to seeing many people. My peer mentor freshman year really helped with alot. He gave me alot of advice that helped me succeed. He made my freshman year better so the reason i chose to be a mentor is that hopefully i make someones first year better by helping them

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I became a peer mentor because during my freshman year, my peer mentor really helped me navigate through college. It was a great experience and I was able to ask any questions without feeling embarrassed. In addition, I felt that I was not alone when I was struggling through classes and had someone to help me and offer advice. I hope to do the same for other freshman and ensure that they know that I am always there to help them. Hopefully, we can build a relationship where they trust me and can use my advice to be successful throughout their freshman year.

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I had a rough freshman year but with lots of experiences. Covid was a really isolating time and I faced a lot of challenges in the college environment. Because of this, I quickly learned ALOT. I also fit many different categories such as pre-med, a student in undergraduate research, a student worker, involved in organizations, etc... so I have tips and tricks AND I have resources. I really want to use these skills and resources I've gained to help freshman have hopefully an easier freshman year than I did and to feel like they have a person to turn to for help if they ever need it.

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Coming in to college the past year as a first-generation student I truly had no idea what to expect and ultimately had to figure out a lot of things for myself. Having a peer mentor who was there for me to encourage me and who pushed me to be the best student I could be and who would also be that person that would guide me was something that entirely changed my freshman year. It is extremely difficult to not feel so lost in such a big school but finding and having people ho you know truly care about not only your education but also your well-being is life-changing in the best possible way and it is exactly the reason why I chose to be a peer mentor. I want to be able to be the person who my mentees can feel is there for them and that will help them navigate through their first year of college. I hope that most of all, they see I truly care for their success and well-being.

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Meeting new people can be extremely tough and I learned this the hard way when I joined Texas A&M! Thankfully, I had a an amazing peer mentor that helped me meet new people and have a friend right away. After my first semester I told myself I wanted to help incoming freshman and give the same opportunities I was given to succeed! Gig Em’!!!

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My peer mentor during freshman year was extremely helpful. I did not know anyone on campus when I began college, so having someone who made sure I was doing well academically, socially, and emotionally made me feel more at ease. I became a peer mentor because I wanted to have that same impact on other students. I was a peer mentor last year, and I loved seeing the growth students made over the course of the semester. I enjoy being an additional resource for freshman students to go to  and try my best to have a positive influence on their time at Texas A&M.

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As a first generation college student, my first semester of college was filled with fear. I, unfortunately, did not have a mentor my freshman year, but the upperclassmen I encountered that offered me advice, guidance, and support are those that helped me get through a tough year. They gave me hope, and I want to be that mentor to someone else. I want to help students get through their first year without major hitches and to have someone to go to when they are in need of advice. From the little tips and tricks of time management to being a shoulder for them to cry on when they are homesick, I want them to succeed. I know what it's like to struggle through the learning curve of freshmen year, and my goal is to help lift that weight off their shoulders.

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I want to be a mentor because having mentors myself helped me be more successful my first year at A&M. I had two amazing mentors and I learned so much from them that I was able to apply to my own life in both academic and personal aspects. I want to be able to provide that help and experience for incoming freshman because it’s not only their first year of college, but for some of them, it’s their first time being back to in-person classes in a while.

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I signed up to be a peer mentor because I want to help out first year students who might be struggling to adjust or might just need someone to talk to. My first year mentor had quite a bit of impact in my educational life. She was always there to give me advice in my classes and even helped me out with time management. So I would love to do the same for my students.

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I want to become a Peer Mentor because during my freshmen year, I had a mentor, and it significantly helped me become a better student. This was because I had no idea about all of the opportunities Texas A&M offered not only for academics, but also student organizations to join. Similarly, I want to fill that role as a mentor in this program. I feel that I could quickly deal with any situation that is thrown at me. I have insights and knowledge about how to be successful in the classroom whether that be about studying or overcoming a fear to talk to a professor. Similarly, to my previous mentor, I feel that I could fill this role and make the transition to college less stressful for freshmen.

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As a mentee myself my first semester of college, I was able to directly experience the benefits of having an upperclassman as an additional resource, especially someone that had taken some of the classes that I was enrolled in. Although academic advisors are a great resource for students to utilize, mentors can serve a more relaxed role and are likely to create a sense of community, which makes a student more likely to continue their education.

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I signed up to be a peer mentor because mentoring is in my blood. I have always been a helpful person since I was small. I began by helping my mom in the kitchen, then joining the Girl Scouts and beginning my journey in service. When I got older, I became the friend all my friends would come to for help with homework or advice, joined National Charity League and volunteered more than 275 hours in it alone, and served a role like an older sister to many younger girls on my club and high school soccer teams. When I came to college, I joined a ton of honors programs and organizations, and continued to be a mentor to younger students. As part of my freshman year, I had an amazing peer mentor that made me consider being one, but it wasn't until I served as a Rho Gamma and SET Leader in my sorority and Texas A&M Panhellenic my sophomore/junior year where I realized just how good of a mentor I had been throughout my life. I had already been serving the same role in my sorority and other organizations, but never fully realizing the impact I had made or the mentoring role I had served. With that, I realized the difference I could make to these new students and the benefits they could also receive from my participation. I have such a unique experience at Texas A&M, and variety of different things I have done on campus, and usually can answer any question or find the answer to it.

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My first semester at Texas A&M was tough for me because I didn’t know how to deal with being homesick and missing my family. Which is why I’m really thankful that I was able to meet my senior academic peer mentor and my science advisor during my freshmen year.  I genuinely think that both my peer mentor and advisor influenced the way I grew as a person in college. I say this because they did a wonderful job mentoring.  I want to be able to make the process a little bit better for someone who is struggling. I want to help in any way that I can because it makes a difference to know there is someone that believes in you. I want to help them not only in the academic side of the struggles they might have, but also empathize with any emotions they are feeling. Having someone listen to the situations they might encounter makes a big difference in the attitude they have towards a new challenge.

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Entering college, I had no idea what the culture was going to be like. I didn’t know much about anything. I was blessed to have amazing mentors guide me through my first year. They were able to answer any questions I had and helped me achieve my goals. I want to be the mentors I had and more to these students. I want to be their biggest cheerleaders and help make their first year a success.

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I'm choosing to be a peer mentor because I know how big an impact a good mentor can make. In my freshman year I was lucky enough to have a mentor who probably changed the course of my life. She got me into extracurriculars and assured me that it's okay for things not to be easy. I think without her I wouldn't have been able to get through my freshman year. By being a mentor this year I hope to do what my mentor did for me for someone else.

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For anyone, college is an incredibly intimidating environment to enter. The people, the classes, and the change of scenery can be pretty overwhelmingly no matter who you are. Although we have teachers and advisors that are here to help us navigate these obstacles, I've always believed that guidance is better received when it’s coming from someone who you can relate to and understand, and I believe peer mentors can fill that role. I became a peer mentor because I feel like the mission of this program truly reflects my values and because I want to use my experiences to help make a difference in the lives of others.

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Seeing my younger brother go off to college this year has made me see how stressful this transition can be. I hope to be the kind of mentor I'd want my brother to have, because starting your life over in a new place with no friends and high expectations on you shouldn't be something you do alone.

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I am a pretty shy person, and coming to such a large university, I was nervous and anxious about finding a place here. My peer mentor was super kind and helped me break out of my shell. I had someone I felt comfortable asking questions and talking to which really helped me settle into my first year of college. I hope to be that person for my mentees so they know that they have someone in their corner who is there for them throughout this new time in their life.

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During my freshman year, I had the opportunity to have two amazing peer mentors that encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and obtain personal growth. This experience allowed me to feel welcomed as a freshman and achieve many goals.  My peer mentors were great role models and helped me navigate through my first year without many struggles. Because of this, I want to be able to help others transition to TAMU and be someone that my mentees can rely on to help them navigate their college career.

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I hope to use this role to assure incoming aggies that, right from the start, they have someone on their side at TAMU. I found it could be really easy to feel alone the first year regardless of how many great friends I had by my side, so I'm determined to prioritize reminding freshmen just how unconditionally welcomed and supported they are. Whether A&M was their top choice or not, I know we can work together to start mapping out what their next few years will look like and hopefully get them excited for all the great things to come!

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A&M was not anywhere near the top of my list when it came time to decide where I wanted to go to college, so when I got here I was really unfamiliar with basically everything. My peer mentor was super chill and he was able to help me find resources, groups, and classes that I otherwise would never have known about and he ultimately made my first year much more fun and easy. I want to be a peer mentor so I can be that source of help, advice, and motivation to someone else.

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I absolutely loved my peer mentor that I had as a freshman because she was helpful, caring, and really went the extra mile to check in on me and make sure I was doing well not only academically, but also emotionally and mentally. I want to be that same constant, dependable, trustworthy mentor and friend to help more freshmen navigate their way through college.

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Shoutout to my mentor last year for helping me out with my freshman anxiety!

Having an older(and wiser) person to depend on for advice and guidance to reliable campus resources helped me juggle a busy schedule with a solid social life and some important extracurriculars. As someone who tends to have panic attacks when things go awry, my peer mentor played an important role in helping me find the right qualified resources to help cope with the amount of stress college life can have. I was inspired to apply as a peer mentor to help others with their transition to A&M(as it can be a little overwhelming at times), and I hope to make some positive friendships with incoming freshmen!

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Coming into college was a hard transition for me and I understand the struggles of incoming freshmen. As a peer mentor, I am able to give back and help them with personal and academic experiences. This mentorship can greatly improve the success of students not only in their first year of school but moving forward in their careers. My mentor was an important part of my success and I hope to be able to do that for my future mentees.