Transitioning to Mentor in College

[Ian Curtis]

I think the most important thing is to set really low expectations. Make it very clear up front that you school is your first priority and you'll come when you can and help out to the best of your ability in small ways, but that you do not want a key role because you just don't know if you'll be able to fill it. That way if life/school/whatever really does get in the way it'll be much easier to disentangle yourself & focus on what is best for you.

I didn't mentor in college (there are many other interesting things in life besides high school robotics competitions!), but when I came back as a just-out-of-college mentor I made basically the same mistake.

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