In February 2015, OCCC launched the new Student 2 Student Peer Mentoring Program, which allows students to be mentored by their peers with the hopes of increasing class success and graduation rates. Erin Logan, Student Life director, said all students are invited to the Student 2 Student Mentoring Tip Session from 12 to 1 p.m. on Monday, March 30 in CU3.

Logan said the student mentors have gone through classes and will help lead the session. Students can attend to learn more about the program or even get tips about how to finish the semester strong.

“It’s for any student to come and observe. We’ll have information on getting involved either as a mentor or as a mentee at the session as well.

“More importantly it’s to get you tips to get you ready for the last eight weeks of the semester and how you can find the resources and information you need to be successful from your peers,” she said.

After doing research with Service and Engagement Liaison Stephen Morrow, Logan said they were able to determine students are more likely to respond to another student who has been directly in their place. Administrators are able to empathize, but do not truly understand the struggles students face first-hand.

“Having somebody who knows what it’s like to juggle nursing school and writing for the paper and all of these other things and life, verse somebody who is getting paid a salary to be here. “They’re going to listen to it and they’re going to feel that their peer understands them a little bit better. They know the trials and tribulations they’re going to, they understand the successes just a little bit better,” she said.

Not only does getting involved with the program help with classroom and educational skills, but it also helps with social and emotional skills. By getting involved, students will grow in various aspects of their life.

“That peer-to-peer interaction will also help students get and feel more connected on campus. It starts to develop a broader range of a peer network, so that connection to their education is now not just the learning, it’s the socialization, which will help them be more successful,” Logan said.

For more information about the Student 2 Student Peer Mentoring Program, visit www.occc.edu/studentlife/index.html or contact Student Life at 405-682-7523.

To contact Lauren Daniel, email onlineeditor@occc.edu