Mentor

[MDAG11]

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If you read my previous posts -- you can prolly read a bit about my background: But in general I'm a first generation college student (uc davis) trying to understand and get through this whole pre-med process. I'm also still in the process of finding out what learning methods are most useful for me -- my gpa isn't great.

I was just wondering if you guys knew any ways to find a good Mentor - perhaps (if possible) someone who was also a first generation student?
are there any programs or approaches I could take to find a good match?
Do I just go up to a professor and say -- CAN I TELL YOU MY LIFE STORY? AND CAN YOU HELP ME? just kidding-- that would be awkward. 👍

-- MDAG11

 

[StarOrSatellite]

Well, I know at my school, there is an UG organization that works closely with the medical school student organization, and there is specifically a mentorship program where the med students mentor the UGs. I would definitely try to do something along those lines as the med students have been where you will be soon and can give you good advice.

 

[ParthVader]

I had the same problem. I'm also a first-gen college student, and really the only one in my family to go out of state.. I'm the family liberal... well anyways.. onto your problem..

I'm currently a freshmen, and what I'm doing is going to the office hours of the professors I really get along with. My High Performance computing proff's really nice and I've been talking w/ him since the beginning of the year. I've even gone to several events w/ him. I would also avoid trying to form a relationship with one of the professors that has a huge lecture.. When I went to office hours, these types of professors were nice, but they just basically would help you with the course material... and nothing else really. Also, volunteer and do some research. You get to work closely with alot of people who've been through this process. I also get along well with the professor who I do research with...

In short:
-Go to office hours of nice professors
-Talk to them
-Volunteer/do research
-JOIN CLUBS [forgot to mention this above, but most of the clubs I'm in have professor advisors, who you also see alot and can talk to.]

-Hope this helps you.

 

[Neuronix]

We do have a Mentor Forum on SDN. I'm the disadvantaged before medicine forum mentor.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=593636

To be honest it's a little lonely in my shoes. Very few people will understand where you're coming from. Most people who are successful come from fairly to very successful family backgrounds or are the offspring of recent immigrants. Most professors won't care, a few will empathise with you, but very few will understand. Still, if you're a first generation college student but from a stable background, you're doing okay IMO.

My advice is to act the part. You're a pre-med. Be a pre-med as much as you should. Study hard, get high grades, volutneer, do research. You'll meet people.