is this normal WGU mentor behavior? (pushing 1 class/week)

Hey guys, I just started BSIT at WGU on Aug 1st. In the couple weeks prior to my start date I worked ahead and was able to take/pass CUV1 (CIW wds) on Aug 3rd.

This is great and all, but I feel like now my mentor thinks I am some sort of super human learning machine and is pushing me to take/pass one class per week! I am all about accelerating my degree and everything, but not as much as my mentor would like. He wants me to be one of those one term graduation guys, which sadly, I do not think I am capable of if I want to retain what I learn. I do think I am capable of one class every 2-4 weeks though.

He gets so excited about how "we" are going to set a bunch of records at WGU, and he is just such a nice guy, I'm having trouble saying what I want to, which is something like: Dude, back off, let me learn at my own pace, I don't care about any records, I just want learn efficiently and be proficient at what I'm learning!

Should I just come out and say something like the above (in a more respectful/professional tone of course)?

Has anyone from WGU had a similar experience with their mentor? If so, how did you handle it?

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Comments

Roflawful

I started BS IT software on Aug 1st as well.

I studied hard, passed all of the pre-assessments and did a bunch of tasks before my actual start date. Turned in EUP1 on Day 1, and requested vouchers / scheduled test times for the following: WFV1, EUC1, CUV1, BOV1

The material for all of these classes overlap quite a bit, so I lumped them all together to fulfill my SAP quickly.

You got a bit luckier than me in that you could take your first exam on 8/3 - I didnt get my vouchers until later in the day on 8/3. If I got them a day earlier, the plan was to go in on 8/3 and do 1 exam after another until my first semester was finished.

My mentor is sort of the opposite of yours. I let her know my goals ahead of time (2 terms of just over 40CUs each). The attitude so far has been "Well ok...just know that you're going to have to sit down and focus on some of these classes.", "You may not pass every one on the first try." etc.

Not sure how helpful my experience is for you. I'd just go at whatever pace you're comfortable with. You'll hit your SAP easy, and your Mentor should be fine with that.

zxshockaxz

I apologize for replying and not being able to give an answer. This just gave me a bit of a chuckle..
One of the main points of the school is being at your own pace. The mentor is just there to help you. Obviously he/she is supposed to help motivate you, but its your education that you're paying for. If you need to move a little slower, then speak up. Worst case scenario: You tell them you can't continue at this pace, so you slow down while they continue you push you.

Danielm7

CoolAsAFan wrote: »

Should I just come out and say something like the above (in a more respectful/professional tone of course)?

Yes, as long as you get the min done each semester you are free to go at whatever pace you feel comfortable with. No point in gritting your teeth and getting pushed by someone if that isn't the pace you want to go. On the same note, the mentor doesn't know what pace you want to go unless you tell them, if they see you pass a test in 2 days they are probably going to assume you want to try to do everything at top speed.

DeezyFF

I started BS IT - Security on Oct 1. 2012. My mentor is all excited when i run through my classes but i only get around 25 cu a semester and I'm on my second semester. I have a full time job so i feel this is good enough for me. She is always asking me if I need more time or if I'm ready for the exam. She is super motoviatonal

Psoasman

I think you should reply with something like "Dude, back off, let me learn at my own pace, I don't care about any records, I just want learn efficiently and be proficient at what I'm learning!"

Seriously, though. It is your education and you can and should do it at your own pace. Every class is different, I finished up a few in a week or less, but those were mostly writing classes and easy for me. Java took me over 2 months to do...

There have been people on this forum who've done it in a term, but they were pushing really hard for 6 months straight, probably not the best in the long run. That said, if you know the material, then study up and take the exam.

Be firm with him and if he won't back off, then call student services and get a new mentor.

CoolAsAFan

Thanks guys, great responses. We had our weekly call this morning and I just kind of let him know that I will try to do one class/week but ultimately will take my time on topics that are new to me. He said I set a record for the earliest a new student has passed their first class

(started Aug 1st, passed Aug 3rd). It was unclear if that record is just for his students or WGU Indiana or all of WGU, but I'll just pretend it is for all of WGU :P

...I'm still waiting for my big blue coffee cup!

Bundiman

On another website where they talk about WGU someone did 104 credit in 4.5 months. They have now job at this time and just focused all their time on the degree. So I do not know what kinda of record your mentor expects you to break. I am feeling pretty good about my first semester myself.

petedude

Bundiman wrote: »

On another website where they talk about WGU someone did 104 credit in 4.5 months. They have now job at this time and just focused all their time on the degree. So I do not know what kinda of record your mentor expects you to break. . . .

That might just be it. . . that mentor may just be looking for bragging rights. I'd suggest playing along for a while, and later if that mentor starts to push you too much beyond your limits look for another mentor.

CoolAsAFan

petedude wrote: »

That might just be it. . . that mentor may just be looking for bragging rights. I'd suggest playing along for a while, and later if that mentor starts to push you too much beyond your limits look for another mentor.

It's funny you mention that because thats exactly what my initial reaction was. It made me wonder if they had any sort of incentives as mentors in regards to student performance. I also wondered if his record talk was bs and was just a tactic to compel me to work faster. I figure I'll be fine though because I'll dictate my own pace (although he was still pushing one class/week this morning on our weekly call).

Bundiman

You have to accept the AAV even if he unlocks it for you. Just let him know that you are as excited as he is but think that his schedule it to aggressive for the pace you had in mind.

DPG

There are metrics solely dependent on student performance that mentors must meet to stay employed.