Article: Some mentoring relationships may operate on a consistent weekly schedule, while others are less rigidly structured. In any case, try not to force mentoring sessions into times or places full of distractions, or when one or both of you are exhausted or preoccupied. Pick a good place to mentor them in. You want to keep their attention on you, without them getting bored or their attention wandering. For school students, a library would be the traditional choice, and a good one too - it will be quieter than other places, there may be room to spread out books or papers, and if you need a book you're in the right place! Make sure you are always prepared for a mentoring session. Don't try to squeeze in some mentoring when you're distracted by a dozen other things, and reschedule a weekly session if necessary when you've been unable to properly prepare. A delayed but fully engaged session is far more beneficial than a half-hearted but on-schedule one. Even if you combined the world's most effective mentor with the world's most eager mentee, you wouldn't see some sort of immediate transformation. Mentoring is about incrementally laying the groundwork for lasting change and self-improvement. It's not a race or a competition; it's a process, and it requires patience from both sides. Rome wasn't built in day, and your mentee won't be transformed after one session either. Whether they are fast or slow learners, remain calm. If they're not getting something, try to explain it in different ways until they do - or just come back to it later. Establish ground rules early on regarding mutual respect and accountability. Create an atmosphere in which some degree of personal sharing can occur and so-called "stupid questions" can be asked, but define the roles of mentor and mentee and the proper nature of interactions between the two. The mentee isn't the only one who might question their abilities or results. There will be times when you'll feel like you're not doing a good enough job, or simply feel down because the results your mentee is working so hard for don't seem to be paying off. Remind yourself that you are doing your best, and you are making a positive difference in this other person's life. You don't have to brag about your own success and experience in your field, or assume that such things mean that you are automatically a great mentor. However, you should draw on these realities as confidence-boosters in your ability to achieve your goals, including mentoring. When your mentee is struggling, keep smiling and offer to help them. When they do succeed, feel proud of what they have accomplished with your help and congratulate them. Give yourself a pat on the back as well. Their success is something for both of you to be proud of. There will be times when you can't meet with your mentee face-to-face, and some mentoring relationships may in fact be conducted entirely from a distance. Even if you do lose out on some of the interpersonal connection in such instances, you can develop and effective mentoring partnership regardless. Stay focused on the core concepts of support, guidance, constructive feedback, and accessibility. In an online or similar distance-based mentorship, be available to your mentee but set boundaries as well. You don't have to respond at 2 am if that is not the nature of your mentoring relationship. Use online resources to your advantage in distance mentoring. Locate helpful links, pages, forums, videos, documents, games, and so on. But don't expect these to replace the core mentor-mentee connection that needs to be forged and maintained.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Choose a time and place that's good for both of you. Be patient and polite, and expect the same. Encourage yourself as well. Be a mentor even at a distance.
Article: Place the shelled seeds in a strainer or colander and rinse with cold water to remove any small debris. Pick out any loose shells or large plant matter. Preheat the oven to 300F/150C. Try not to have any of the seeds overlapping. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the seeds are brown and crisp. Stir the seeds occasionally to brown evenly on both sides. You can serve the hot sunflower seeds immediately, or leave to cool before storing in an airtight container to enjoy later. If you like your sunflower seeds salted, sprinkle the seeds with salt while they are still on the baking sheet. You can also mix up to a teaspoon of butter with the hot seeds for an extra tasty treat!
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Clean 1 cup's worth of sunflower seeds. Line a baking sheet or baking dish with parchment paper. Spread the seeds on the baking sheet in a single layer. Place in the oven to roast. Serve or store.
Article: It's great to tell your girlfriend she's beautiful or gush about how gorgeous she is. However, instead of bragging about her looks alone, try to focus on her personality, achievements, and other qualities that make her a wonderful person. Brag about her professional accomplishments, like a laudable project she managed. Talk about an impressive test score, how she made honor roll or dean's list, or how great of a mentor she is to her younger siblings. Bragging about your love life isn't the most respectful way to convey what a great human being your girlfriend is. Further, when you keep intimate details about your relationship between the two of you, those details become more special and profound. It's one thing to confide in your best friend about your love life. However, if you brag to all of your friends about how great your girlfriend is at intimate stuff, she might feel like nothing more than a conquest. Bragging about how great your girlfriend is at things like cooking and cleaning could come across as old fashioned and stereotypical. Instead of reducing her to an outdated gender role, try drawing attention to more complex personality traits. For example, you could say, "Sophie is a great cook. She likes to glance at recipes, then add her own unique twists. Her creativity, intelligence, and quick-thinking never cease to amaze me!" Try saying something like, "Her apartment is always spotless, and she loves to keep things in order. Among her many great qualities, she's so responsible and has such attention to detail. She really makes me a better person." When in doubt, talk to your girlfriend about whether or not she likes it when you gush about her. Set clear boundaries about what's up for discussion, when bragging is appropriate, and how much you should share about your relationship. Ask her, "Does my bragging ever make you uncomfortable? I love telling everyone how amazing you are, but I'd never want to put you on the spot or make you feel embarrassed."
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Focus on her qualities and accomplishments. Keep private details private. Avoid reducing her to gendered stereotypes. Ask your girlfriend how comfortable she is with your bragging.