On Thursday, November 13th, the School Counseling Department held an assembly to kickoff the Post-Secondary Planning Process for the Class of 2016. Since many students are at different stages in the process, we covered topics in a way the could help empower any student through the process. Empowerment means having the tools and confidence to reach your goals, knowing how to overcome challenges when you face them, knowing where to get help along the way.
Ownership means taking responsibility for the process. It is making sure that what you want to accomplish gets accomplished, and being an active participant in the process, rather than waiting for the results to come to you.
Developing an Organizational style that works best for you is important. Make sure to plan ahead, setting short and long term goals along the way.
Self Advocate by speaking up and communicating your needs. The more others know about where you are, the better support you can get through the process.
Be curious and Inquire throughout the process. Ask lots of questions. Everyone needs some kind of help, and counselors, teachers administrators, and parents are all eager to support you.
Developing an Organizational style that works best for you is important. Make sure to plan ahead, setting short and long term goals along the way.
Self Advocate by speaking up and communicating your needs. The more others know about where you are, the better support you can get through the process.
Be curious and Inquire throughout the process. Ask lots of questions. Everyone needs some kind of help, and counselors, teachers administrators, and parents are all eager to support you.
| Open your mind to all the potential possibilities that are out there. This is an opportunity that you have total control over. You’ll learn a lot through the process and come across things you did not know before. If discover a college you have never heard of before, look into it! If you’re thinking about a career, look deeper and see the different directions you can go in. You never know when you might find a fantastic fit! |  |
When looking into your options for after high school, it is important to consider the various characteristics of the environment you may be entering. For instance, some common factors you may consider about selecting a college are size, location, and campus surroundings.
Size: Think about how you naturally make connections with others. Large schools give an opportunity to meet a wide range of people but may need to take steps to foster a feeling of community by going out of your way to join clubs/sports. Small school is easier to organically get to know classmates because you see them all the time but you may be limited in the diversity of the student body due to the size. When considering the size of a college, also consider what you may need as a learner. Research the types of classes the schools provide. Keep in mind that you can have large classes in small schools and small classes in large schools. Also look at the size of classes within your potential major or department. For instance, are there small seminars, larger lectures, or both?
  | Distance: What is your comfort-level when considering how far away or close to home a school is? Think about how frequently you anticipate wanting to come home, for example, some weekends vs. just major holidays. Are you interested in learning about a new part of the country? Consider schools in a different state or region. Would you prefer to be able to drive between home and school or would you consider schools you might fly to? |
| Campus Environment: Also consider the type of campus environment is most appealing to you. Big city, out in the country, or somewhere in between. Think about activities you like to do, and how being on a certain type of campus will make them easier to partake in. Consider other aspects as well: certain sports, majors, liberal/conservative campus, etc. All of these can be great starting points for your research! Work Environment Characteristics: Just like college, your work environment can have a huge impact on your fulfillment. Do you like:
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Broaden your post-secondary exploration by visiting campuses and picturing yourself there. The college you attend will likely be your home for the next four years. It is important to take the time to picture yourself on a campus.
Try to attend an information session while on campus. This is an opportunity to learn about the school from members of the admissions office. Even if you can't attend one of these sessions, sign up for an official tour, rather than simply driving on campus and exploring yourself. Schools often track "demonstrated interest" and making an official visit is one way you can show your interest. You can register for information sessions and campus tours by visiting the school's website.
While visiting campuses, remember to keep notes on what you see. What is the campus like? Are there people out and about or is the campus quiet? Are there lots of advertisements on bulletin boards? What is the food like in the cafeteria? Would you feel safe at night? Any number of observations can help you determine if a campus will be a good fit for you. Keeping notes will help you distinguish between the different schools after you are done with your tours.
As you prepare for life after high school, what are you doing when you are not being a student? Getting involved in your school and community is a great way to build new skills, help you learn about yourself and have a lot of fun! Things such as sports, clubs, community service and part-time jobs are all considered extra-curricular activities.
Your activities and accomplishments show what you are passionate about, what you enjoy, and what qualities you have. Here are some examples of what activities can mean: Serving in student government, starting a new initiative, or overseeing a current one can show your leadership skills. Being an athlete can show you can make commitments to a team. Volunteer work demonstrates your concern, compassion and dedication to helping others. Working part time while keeping grades up shows responsibility and time management.
While activities can show who you are to others, they can also be helpful in determining if you actually like to do something or not. For instance, maybe you are interested a career that involves public speaking and you joined the Speech and Debate Team. One person could love the rush of speaking in front of many people and be energized to pursue a career in this area, while another may realize that public speaking really is not for them. In this way, the activity can become informative for you in the directions you may go in your future.
Whether you are a college-bound student or someone looking to transition to work, your extra-curriculars can play a part in all your future applications. Eventually you will be making a resume. This could be an activity resume for college or a more traditional resume for work. What will yours say about you?
As you plan for life after high school, use your classes as an opportunity for growth and exploration. Course selection will be coming up in the spring. Look into the options that are available and have meaningful conversations with your current teachers about level placements for next year. You can even seek out the teachers of electives you are considering to learn more about those classes.
Take a step back and reflect on assignments or studying sessions, and explore what worked well for you and what could have gone even better. You always have time to improve yourself academically, whether raising grades or adding rigor to your schedule. Colleges and employers like to see what you have done most recently, and consider it a good indication of your future performance. If you progress in a positive direction in your academics, more and more opportunities will open up
Have conversations with your teachers about your current work. They are available after class, after school and even by email. If you have studied for multiple hours and still got a low grade on an exam, consider going over your approach with your teacher instead of simply studying more. Are you regularly spending hours and hours on work for the same subject? Ask the teacher what the expectations are. Maybe there is a better or more efficient way to approach the work. When you do speak with your teachers for these reasons or any kind of extra help, be prepared for for the conversation with specifics. This way the help will be more effective. Developing this communication skill is also beneficial for for college and careers. Learning different approaches to tasks and assignments, and building comfort approaching professors and employers with questions, can help you be successful in some of the most challenging situations.
Also use this remaining time in high school to enhance your approach to your academics. Your subjects may be different but you are the same, and the more you understand how you work best, the more effective you can be. What kind of learner are you?
You will likely fit into multiple categories but may often fall more in one particular category. Reflect on the style for how you best learn, but also develop ways to enhance your learning when the delivery is different than you would prefer.
Ask yourself the important questions about what you want and what you see in your future, whether it be 4 year or 2 year college, work, military or something else. Talk openly and honestly with your parents and school counselor about what is realistic for you. Map out your plan and take the right steps to achieve your goals!
Map out your schedule for taking college entrance exams, such as the ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject Tests. Spring of junior year is the most common time for students to first take the SAT and/or ACT. If you haven't already, now is the time to begin your college research and even plan for visiting campuses. High School vacations in February and April can be a great time to see schools. Students even get three excused absences to visit colleges during the year.
Upcoming Contacts With
The COunseling Department
We are always available to answer questions and guide you through the process!
| All students will receive individual copies of the Post-Secondary Planning Handbook during Junior Information Night on January 26 (snow date February 2). This guide will have specific details about different aspects of the post-secondary planning process. There are also a variety of communication methods we use to reach students. We will frequently send important communications to students and parents through Naviance. If you have not been receiving these communications already, please let us know so we can update your email address. Email is a great way to reach out to us for help specific to your individual circumstances. We use Twitter to share important and relevant information. Follow us at @WboroCounselors! Our School Counseling website is regularly updated with information on the post-secondary planning process, upcoming events, and other helpful information. |  |
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One Final Thought...
Through this Entire Process, Remember...
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