Since high school, Chico State sophomore Bryan Tilos has been giving relationship advice.
He was the nice guy with two older sisters, so he knew how to treat a girl, he said. He knew what to do and what not to do.
So after taking University 101 last fall and interacting with a peer mentor, he thought it best to continue giving advice - not only in relationships, but with any problems a freshman may have.
"It just seemed rational," he said. "I already do this."
Tilos and about 16 other students dedicate their time to helping freshmen transition from high school to college life in the Peer Mentor Program, said Becki Clifford, program assistant for First Year Experience. Peer mentors act as friends with knowledge, support and past experiences to help freshmen with problems they have with college life. Trips are also taken and the program is experimenting with mentors leading University 101.
"They aren't seen as authorities," she said. "They are there to help the students meet the needs they have."
The program started out giving students individual interviews, but because of the rise of interest in the program, students must go through a class in spring then pass an exit interview to become a mentor, said Thia Wolf, director of First Year Experience. This is all because the first-year experience is an important part of college life.
The program doesn't take this stuff lightly, Clifford said.
"Suddenly there are many more freedoms (for first-years), but many of those freedoms can appear deceptively easygoing and happy," she said.
It's easy to get caught up with fun-loving people who don't pay attention to their course work, she said. Sometimes this can lead to major consequences, which is why peer mentors exist. They help freshmen balance fun and personal responsibility.
Senior Sofie Burton has been with the program since 2007, she said. She thought Wolf's idea of embedding mentors into classes was interesting.
"I think it's helpful for first-year students," she said. "Mentors are like professional friends - they are someone who can give you appropriate advice and then be a good listener."
In the past, Burton and the mentors have noticed that many freshmen were struggling and getting on academic probation, she said. By going to University 101 classes, mentors can ask individual students about their projects and their other classes.
"Getting used to college is challenging in many ways," Burton said. "The timing of classes, knowing when to do what and work is a challenge. It would have been nice (as a freshman) to have someone just a couple years older than me to talk and check up on me."
As a freshman, Burton didn't have the chance to experience having a peer mentor, she said.
But Tilos did and wants to continue bringing it to freshmen, year after year, he said.
"It's cool to see how I was freshman year," he said. "And I think I know what they're going through, so I can help them."
Tilos thinks mentors are easier to go to than parents and teachers, he said. Peer mentors are on the same level as freshmen, and there are no big status differences between them.
"There are some things you just wouldn't tell your teacher, like, 'I got messed up last night and made some bad decisions,'" he said. "With me, I'm not controlling your grade, and I'm not going to put a stereotype over your head."
The first-year experience for most students is tough, emotional and completely different from the high school environment they just left. Peer mentors are there to spread their knowledge and wisdom for those seeking it.
"You definitely need direction," Tilos said. "Some people are excited to be away from their families, but deep down they're going to miss them."
Raelene Willis can be reached at rwillis@theorion.com
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