Midsemester Check In For Mentors and Mentees

Whether you are a student, faculty, or staff, you can get the mid-semester blues. When this happens, stop, step back, and survey your current position. Ask: What do I need to move forward? Use the steps below to reflect on this question, revision the weeks left in your semester, and begin planning for the next.

• Mentees. Prepare for your meeting with your mentor by answering the questions before meeting.
• Mentors. Prepare for your meeting with your mentee by answering the questions before meeting.
• Mentees and Mentors. Ask yourself during the meeting: What can we learn from each other?
• Goal. To leave the meeting with a plan that helps you resolve at least one of your must do items.

Step 1: Identify. 

Select up to 5 projects or activities that you want to/still need to complete by the end of the semester.

• Have you scheduled the projects and their components on your calendar?
• If so, re/confirm the date of completion/delivery.
  • Review the steps completed and that need to be completed.
• If you have not scheduled the different components on your calendar, make certain that the system of your choice clearly outlines and makes visible your deadlines and steps towards completion.
  • Re/confirm that your deadlines and steps do not conflict with what is scheduled.

Step 2: Prioritize.

• How do you feel after your review?
• Is your schedule still realistic?
  • If not, what needs immediate action?
    • Can you delay something without detrimental professional/personal consequences?
    • Can part of the project/activity be delegated?
    • Do you need an extension? Assistance? Support?
  • If your schedule remains realistic, what is the priority and why?
    • If you have more than one priority with close/same deadlines, do you need an extension?
    • Review your steps again:
      • Have you completed more than you realize?
      • How can you see your project in a new way?
        • Who can help you do this, and when/how will you contact them?

Step 3: Plan. (And replan).

Consider “the Sunday meeting” to help you revise your weekly plan. Mentees, if you have a semester plan, when was the last time you reviewed it with your mentor? If you do not have a plan but would like one, consider these guidelines on how to create one for the coming semester: https://www.facultydiversity.org/webinars/semesterplan20. 

If the semester plan is not for you – and even if it is – consider occasionally changing the tools you use. This can help you see projects differently. Below are additional time management tools that may be helpful. If you use Microsoft 365, you may also benefit from integrating your calendar, Teams, and email.

• Mastering Academic Time Management
• Toggle
• 24 Essential Mind Mapping and Brainstorming Tools
• Beyond the To Do List
• Trello

Step 4. Rest. We say yes when we should say no. We overestimate our energy and time. We underestimate what we need to get things done. We don’t allow ourselves time to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate so that we can revision our current position and needs. After following these steps, take a short break and a deep breath, acknowledge the work you have done to get this far, and treat yourself to a moment of calm.