Smooth start for NEXT students 

With the end of the school year happening within the next month, thoughts about the 2025-2026 school year are arising. One new opportunity regarding Orientation Weekend is being a mentor for an incoming NEXT program student. Last year, this was a major success, so naturally, Northwestern is looking to do this again. There are many benefits for students who sign up and embrace this opportunity. Students will have a chance to help a new student feel at home when they first move in.

One question that arises is what does the position require? Mentors will attend all of the orientation events alongside the NEXT student, share meals with them and take them on additional tours of the campus throughout the weekend. For many of these students, a new big space is overwhelming. Having a helpful mentor to guide these students through their busy first weekend will be beneficial for NEXT students. Another thing that mentors do to help the students is to take them on their route multiple times, so they are comfortable and more familiar with many important locations on campus, including their dorm room and each of their classrooms.

Anyone with interest is eligible to be a NEXT orientation mentor. This upcoming fall semester, the program has four or five male students on their way, so the program is looking for a good amount of current NW male students to sign up. The NEXT program is looking for people who have good social skills, a high level of empathy and an interest in helping students with learning the ins and outs of campus life. Mentors do not need to have extensive knowledge about campus, just a willingness to learn and serve. Some of the benefits of the position is that it is paid, and mentors are able to move onto campus earlier than other students. Unfortunately, those who are already busy with responsibilities during orientation weekend, such as  O-group leaders and resident assistants, are not able to do both.

Another reason why NEXT mentors are so important is that this gives the NEXT student the chance to quickly have a buddy to help them for the entire weekend and beyond. Being a mentor also gives the NEXT students a friendly face to recognize on campus. With this mentorship, NEXT students will start their college career having a personal connection immediately upon arriving to campus, which eases the parents a little bit and helps them be introduced to multiple students without having all the pressure on themselves to do so. 

While this is an opportunity open to all students, it is particularly a great opportunity for students wanting to go into social work and special education, since this gives them a great experience to work with these excited incoming NEXT students. If you are interested in applying, please email Harrison Wiebe Faber as soon as possible. He is looking forward to meetings and interviews about what the position will look like in further detail. While positions are limited, everyone who is interested should reach out, as mentors may need to be added over the next few months or be on the list to possibly be a NEXT mentor during the year.