Advice for transition from student to mentor, too involved?

[Fields]

Keep in mind what it is that FRC is for. It's not for winning. It's not for building a freaking awesome robot. Not about being the best strategist or even being prepared for the game.

It's about getting students interested in engineering, science, media and business. Teaching them how what they learn in school can actually matter.

It is very hard for a lot of mentors (myself included) to not jump in and do things their way because it's faster, easier and better. I still spend lots of time outside of the team researching and doing calculations for ideas to share with the students. There are times when I get shot down for what I consider bad reasons, and early on I'll be honest it pissed me off.

I had to forcibly separate myself from the competition. Now I'm more focused on the students and getting them to think critically and work out problems. If they ask for it, I'll tell them how I might solve a particular problem or ideas/concepts they never had a chance to learn yet.

If they make a bad decision on how something should work, I let them try it and find out the hard way why it won't work. It often causes extra work for them and myself, but in the end they can learn and own it rather than be the underlings. What's awesome is that a few times the "stupid" idea they had actually worked and it blew my mind cause I didn't see it till it was done!

Right now I have a lot less stress and a ton less pride holding me back. We don't compete until next week and even if we fall dead last, I can honestly say now that I am very proud of what the team was able to do this year. I'm also excited for the season to be over so we can start preparing for next year.

I suggest not pushing the scouting system. Present it and give examples of why it will be better and leave it at that. If a few students want to try it then great, you'll have a great case study to show how it really is better. If they want paper, let them use paper and try not to take it personal. As you gain experience you'll have lots of other cool stuff to share with them.

I don't have any qualms about mentors doing any of the work. Sometimes it's necessary. What bugs me is when I see a mentor drilling holes with a student holding the other end and playing on their phone.