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ATMentors Monthly [december]

“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier lives for ourselves.” -Helen Keller

Howdy! Happy Holidays Aggieland! The weather is cool, students are preparing for their finals, and the 2011-2012 fall semester is coming to an end.

In this month’s issue of ATMentors Monthly, make sure you read [What’s New with Mentors?] to catch up on our plans for 2012. Also, [Mark Your Calendar] with some dates and events occurring within the next few months.

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[What’s New with Mentors?]New Mentors... Do you know someone you think would be a great mentor for our

Aggies? E-mail ATMentors@tamu.edu or have them submit the New Mentor Application online at mentors.tamu.edu

mentors corner

ATMentors is now on Facebook! Please search us under ATMentors and like the page! We can utilize this social network to reach more Aggies and potential mentors!

[Tips for December]

Welcome NEW Mentors!

Jennifer Ann Smith, Career Coordinator, Career Center, College of Agriculture

Orie Varner, Senior Study Abroad Advisor I, Study Abroad Programs Office, Division of Academic Affairs

Gail Rowe, Academic Advisor II, Geography, College of Geosciences

Blake Petty, Assistant Vice President, Vice President for Research

Jenni Bradley, Library Specialist II, Cushing Library

Carol Mumford, Program Coordinator, College of Engineering

A special thanks to Steve Kaminczak of the University Writing Center for presenting us with great resources for mentoring our students at our Brown Bag November 17th. Please see the attached slideshow of the presentation for the info-mation or if you missed it! Interested in presenting at these monthly functions? Email us at atmentors@tamu.edu

Save the Date! Please join us for an ATMentor Appreciation

Social on Thursday, December 15th. More details including time and location coming soon!

Five study tips for you to share with students to successfully prepare them for final exams:

1. Create an environment conducive to studying. Students sometimes think a corner cafe or their bed is a great place to study. It needs to be somewhere free of distractions, well lit and ample space to spread out books and notes.

2. Procrastination won’t help. Students often think cramming for a final is the best way to study, but cramming is useless as a stand-alone strategy. Students need to prepare 7 to 10 days before the exam, especially when preparing for multiple exams.

3. Everyone has a different learning style. Auditory learners must utilize audio review tapes and group discussions. Visual learners must prepare charts, diagrams and outlines of the ma-terial. Tactile learners must seek out models, museums or laboratory environments to rein-force the materials.

4. Form a study group. Students should not pick their social buddies for this group; rather, choose a few conscientious students that rarely missed their class. Compare notes, quiz each other and keep one another on task.

5. Freshen up notes for the final. The notes students take in class are full of extraneous information which can distract them from the essence of the material. Now that they have the benefit of hindsight, they are able to process the course material as one cohesive unit. It would be helpful for the student to make an outline of each day's notes to achieve this understanding.

Be on the lookout for details on the January AgVenture program to Austin. Students and mentors will visit the Texas State Capitol, LBJ Library, Bob Bullock Museum and eat at a local Austin favorite restaurant. If you are intersted in assisting with the AgVenture contact Emily Ivey at 845-5826 or emilyi@studentlife.tamu.edu

4 Have suggestions, comments, or an addition to the newsletter? Please e-mail ATMentors@tamu.edu or call 979.845.5826.

[Campus Highlight]Student Learning Center

The mission of the Student Learning Center is to promote the persistence and academic success of the undergraduate students at Texas A&M University by providing specialized courses, programs and services.

Tutoring: The Student Learning Center offers free peer tutoring from undergraduate students in a variety of subjects and courses. All of our tutoring programs are offered at convenient evening hours and multiple locations across campus.

Student Learning Center200 YMCA Building • 4230 TAMU College Station, TX 77843(979) 845-2724http://slc.tamu.edu/

This section contains helpful hints and resources that will help you while mentoring.

12.1.11 Stress Management and Test Anxiety This is a great workshop to share with your students! 2pm-3pm Cain Hall B 103

12.7.11 and 12.8.11 Conquering Finals This is a great workshop to share with your students! Cain Hall B103 On 12/7 from 4pm-5pm On 12/8 from 1:30pm-2:30pm

12.15.11 ATMentor Appreciation Social Time and Location TBA

Happy Holidays!

[Mark Your Calendar]Important Dates & Events