Why Christian College Students Need Mentors

Paul and Timothy.
Moses and Joshua.
Jesus and his disciples.
The Bible is filled with stories of mentorship relationships. Paul boldly instructs, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).” He recognizes that it’s not enough to simply have a teaching - people need concrete examples of a life lived in Christ. As much as a young person can learn from classroom instruction and academic study, those lessons need to be fleshed out. Mentorship offers the unique opportunity for a younger person to receive both an example and a sounding board as they navigate life.

According to the Gallup-Purdue index, college graduates who received mentorship during their college experience were more than one and a half times more likely to be thriving in all areas of well-being and almost two and a half times more likely to be engaged at work. Despite these statistics, only 27% of college graduates report having a mentor who encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams. 

At The Institute for G.O.D., mentorship begins with spiritual support, but spirituality is evidenced in maturity demonstrated in real life — finances, friendships, school work, family, and more.

At the Institute, mentorship has always been a vital aspect of our student life experience. In students’ entrance to the school, they are assigned a mentor, usually a staff member or alumni, who is available to walk them through anything from finishing their homework on time to saving up for their summer mission trip. Mentors walk with the student from their first week on campus until graduation.

A unique aspect of this program is that many mentors are Institute alumni. As recent graduates, our alumni have the opportunity to share their stories and experiences to encourage students in their academic, social and spiritual growth. During their bi-weekly meetings, mentors listen to students regarding their struggles and successes, pray with students, and offer advice on topics ranging from homework to budgeting, friendships to career paths. 

One mentor noted, “I have been a mentor for 4 years now and can honestly say I’ve witnessed an extreme amount of growth and maturity in my mentees. They’ve learned themselves and their tendencies, and have developed the capacity to perspective-take and empathize with others. I love being able to give back to the college I love.” 

At the end of every term, Institute staff and mentors host “Midnight Breakfast” — a late night study experience where faculty and mentors are present to offer academic support (and laughs) to students in their most stressful week.

Mentors Give College Students Examples to Follow 

When surveyed, students have been overwhelmingly thankful for this service. One student shared, 

“I never had a mentor growing up, or really any adult example to look to on how to follow the Lord or be a healthy adult in general. I’ve been cared for, looked after, and supported in ways I’d never experienced before. I now have guidance and biblically sound support, someone to text or call when I need prayer and help in life. My mentor has been there for me every step of the way, listening to me and discerning what ways I needed to be pushed and challenged, and what ways I needed to be encouraged and comforted. Getting to have a mentor has greatly helped my maturation process as she has prayed for me and helped me along in my educational and transitional process of becoming a college student and being away from family for the first time.”  

The mentor experience is a very special one. Often years after graduation from The Institute, mentees and mentors remain close friends who can continue to give prayer and wisdom.

Mentors Help Students through Grief

Mentors offer support not only in practical advice with homework or budgeting, but also with the emotional and spiritual support needed as students navigate being on their own for the first time. 

“I was grieving a deep loss when I came to the institute my first year, and my mentor continued to give me the freedom and biblical guidance I needed to be able to speak and work through things I didn’t know yet how to process or heal from. I don’t think I would have grown in the ways that I did without her to help me through that process. She’s been a source of support not in a way that allows me to be completely dependent on her, but rather a support and friend that pushes me closer to the Lord in order to be able to heal and develop in the ways I need to.”

Mentors and alumni are a part of the network of leaders students travel with on international mission. Our international trips are not students exploring on their own, they are structured experiences with leaders of years of support on the mission field.

Mentors Help Students “Adult” Successfully 

Another unique aspect of the Institute is students' opportunities to begin work in their chosen field during their college journey. Because we connect students to jobs that align with their occupational interests, a student with an education minor might begin an internship at the Academy for G.O.D. as early as their second year. Likewise, a student interested in building on the mission field can work with a construction company while still in college. While an awesome opportunity, it does thrust students into adult responsibilities quickly. Mentors make sure they are handling things well on the personal level -- checking in to make sure they're finishing their homework, putting some funds into savings, and still taking time with their friends.

“One of the best moments was when I was seeking guidance on career development while still being a full time student. My mentor gave me biblical counsel on prayer and recognizing the gifts God had given me. She also gave very beneficial advice on time management between homework and career development.” 

College is a vulnerable time that marks the fleeting transition preparing a young person to enter the workforce. At the Institute, students are not playing around, hoping they’ll do ok growing up on the other side of their education. Instead, we’re walking them through their transition to adulthood, teaching them God’s Word in the classroom, ensuring they’re gaining the skills to live out what they’re learning, and giving them mentors to walk alongside them as they do. The Institute is glad to support students as they make the most of these years to learn, grow, and become thriving adults and servants of the Lord.