Ethan Tunnicliffe thought higher education wasn鈥檛 for him until he met his mentor
Growing up in York, England, higher education had never been a priority for Ethan Tunnicliffe. While serving in the London South Mission, Ethan met Sarah, his future wife. He then moved to the United States so they could get married. It didn鈥檛 take long for Ethan to realize he would need 麻豆精品在线播放 if he was going to be a good provider for his future family, so he decided to enroll in BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
On the opposite side of the world, Bev Whiting grew up in Los Angeles, California and eventually made her way to Rexburg, Idaho with her husband and children. Her career path led her to her current position as a mentor for BYU-Pathway. As a mentor, Bev is trained to assist first-semester students in PathwayConnect who come across roadblocks in their educational journey.
As Ethan began his first semester in PathwayConnect, he wasn鈥檛 sure if he鈥檇 enjoy his schooling. To him, getting 麻豆精品在线播放 was something he had to do, and it wasn鈥檛 something he was excited about. After a couple of weeks into the semester, Ethan received a phone call from Bev. As they discussed the goals Ethan had for his future and how he would reach them, his perspective changed.
The key to success
Whenever Bev works with a student, she likes to focus on their goals and purpose. She explained, 鈥淲hen [students] connect their purpose to their day-to-day life and they live an intentional life, that鈥檚 what helps them succeed.鈥�
Ethan felt the effects of discovering his purpose when he met with Bev for the first time. 鈥淚t was exhilarating to figure out [my purpose] for myself鈥︹�� he said. 鈥淚 think for me, the most rewarding experience was that first conversation where she helped me evaluate and examine myself.鈥�
Bev was able to help Ethan realize why he was pursuing higher education, which made school a lot more enjoyable for him. Over time, the goals Ethan set for himself were what helped him get the most out of BYU-Pathway.
鈥淵ou know yourself better than anybody else,鈥� Bev shared. That鈥檚 what she likes to focus on with her students. She knows they have the answers they need for success, so she helps them find those answers.
Why settle for average 鈥� when you could work harder and accomplish the best?
A change of perspective
In the beginning, Ethan felt it would have been easy to pass through his education without getting much out of it. Once he met with his mentor, his perspective changed. 鈥淲hen I spoke to Bev, I really found the desire to just do the best that I can鈥︹�� he said. 鈥淲hy settle for average just because you don鈥檛 like something 鈥� or it鈥檚 not your favorite 鈥� when you could work harder and accomplish the best?鈥�
Bev loved working with Ethan because he was so willing to think things through, find his purpose, and get the most out of the program. 鈥淗e was ready to allow someone to help him self-evaluate,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen they鈥檙e ready 鈥� it鈥檚 a whole different ball game than when they鈥檙e not.鈥�
As Ethan worked through his courses and followed his mentor鈥檚 counsel, he discovered that BYU-Pathway had so much to offer. He found a community of people who really cared about his success. The more people 鈥� his mentor, instructors, and others he would meet along the way 鈥� reached out to help him, the more it inspired him to do the same for others.
Success with a mentor
We can each find people who serve as mentors in our lives. Trusted friends, peers, and family members can help us set goals and evaluate areas where we can improve. By doing so, they can help us apply the principles of setting goals and finding purpose in the things we do each day.
To any student who may doubt if BYU-Pathway is for them, Ethan said, 鈥淚 just really want people to get involved, because I feel [BYU-Pathway is] a hugely, hugely beneficial program and course, and will give an outstanding degree if you work for it.鈥�
Who has been a mentor in your life?