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The term mentorship always brings to our mind a scene in which a person, dressed in a fine suit, with a lovely, fresh face, wearing a grin and with an air of wisdom and knowledge. He would have all the qualities of an angel, maybe even a halo around his head. He is thought to be a godfather who can hold your hand, bypass all problems for your sake and place you where you want to be, all in the blink of an eye.

But the reality is always tough and hard to digest. And - believing that I might thrash a well-formed mental image into a million pieces - a mentor may resemble but does not completely fit the description of our formerly mentioned character.

A mentor may be anyone, a veteran of war, a champion of oratory or a skillful employee. The fundamental quality that a mentor has and exhibits to his mentees is his ability to interpret and convey what life is. What his regrets in life are and what he could have done to end somewhere better. Yes, profession and money-making are key aspects but he profoundly reflects upon what factors make us all human.

It is absurd to think that your mentor will solve all your life's problems for you. He may act as a gatekeeper, giving you all the necessary instructions to reach the center of the maze, but you have to decapitate the Minotaur yourself to return triumphant. No one can see the issues of anyone with the same paradigm as himself and that must also not be expected from a mentor.

Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy gives an element of his experience in the Inferno: "The Darkest Places in Hell are reserved for those who maintain their Neutrality in times of Moral Crisis". Mentors are eager to rectify the moral values and social ethics of their mentees. They are aware of the fact that modern times bring with them a horde of evils that may invade innocent minds, thus they try to build the mentees' professional cornerstone, which is fixed with the mortar of esteemed values

Lastly, a mentor can be anyone who is involved in your character building: relatives, parents, friends, teachers, colleagues, or even you leader of the congregational prayer. It is just that one must be all ears to constructive advice and willing to become a productive element of the society-for himself, for the world.

The grand tradition of alums of Cadet College Hasanabdal to seek the best positions in diverse sections of society and international organizations is evident from the institution’s long and illustrious history. One of the reasons behind such success is the strong tradition of continuous mentorship at college at multiple levels. This mentorship is not only available for on-campus studies and physical training, but the college has taken it upon itself to guide the

cadets for university admissions and the application process.

As the college period spans the formative years of cadets’ lives, it is imperative for them to feel supported and gain profound experiences. They must receive critical support during college to acquire admission to their preferred fields and universities. For this reason, it is essential for them to have proper mentorship.

Long-term success dramatically depends upon students’ experiential growth, which is highly encouraged at CCH. For instance, they are encouraged to participate actively in extracurricular activities, projects, and competitions. Consequently, their grooming helps them grow in real-life scenarios. These extracurricular experiences become part of their resumes, allowing them to acquire admission to top-ranked universities in Pakistan and abroad. Another essential aspect for the cadets to grow their chances for admission is the emotional support offered at CCH. They are continuously encouraged to take full advantage of the mentorship available at the college campus. The faculty members are always available to furnish their help. Moreover, the senior students are always prepared to advise their juniors. For instance, some of CCH graduates took SAT and scored highly. They were presented as shining stars on various platforms of CCH. But more significantly, they engaged themselves in offering help to their juniors to prepare for SAT.

Besides on-campus mentorship activities, CCH also invites alums to guide junior students. It is quite natural that any alumni with a successful career become a source of inspiration for all the juniors at college. Due to its decades-long tradition, CCH’s alum base is impressive and is always ready to support the current batch. Primarily, they are also available on various social media platforms, and students can promptly introduce themselves as CCH student.

This association is never complex, as mentors are almost always one call or FB message away.

Nonetheless, the most crucial step after graduating from CCH is to attain admission to a good national or international university program. This process highly relies upon proper guidance and mentorship offered by the college administration. Cadets are continuously prepared to study for SAT, which is essential to get admission abroad. Moreover, they are guided to prepare their application, practice for potential interviews, and write personal statements and other necessary documents. By the end of 12th grade, they are ready to find preferred jobs or admissions at top universities worldwide.