The Role of Your High School Counselor

Early planning for college should include scheduling an appointment with your high school counselor. Competition is fierce for financial aid and scholarships. The earlier you begin to assess your knowledge and skills, the more prepared you will be to make decisions about possible careers and college choices.

Your high school counselor can assist you in self-assessment of your strengths and weaknesses and assist in choosing the best college for your personality and ability.

How can your high school counselor help?

Determining your knowledge and ability – Make an appointment early in the school year with your counselor. They will review your school records and at the appointed time be able to get to know you and to assess your current academic record. If your school record isn’t a good one, your high school counselor will let you know what areas need the most improvement over the next three years.

Customizing the academic load – Once the counselor has determined your knowledge and skills, they may suggest changes to your curriculum to prepare you for your future career. If for instance, you are interested in having a career in computer science; your high school counselor may enroll you in advanced math classes.

Gauging your emotions – During one-on-one interviews with your counselor, they will be able to gauge your emotion and psychological feelings. These interviews allow the counselor to determine the type of pressure you may be able to handle, and if a particular area of study is suitable for you.

Interacting with parents – Many students are conflicted about their choice of careers because of family conflicts. Your parents may think you are suited for a particular career or suggest a career they wish they had. Sometimes, it is difficult for you to ignore the wishes of your parents and make a career decision based on the vision you have for your future. Your high school counselor can act as a mediator and may be able to convince your parents to listen to what you have to say about your future career.

Getting financial aid – Not many parents are able to pay the full college expenses of their children. Financial assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, and other financial options may be the only way you can attend college. Your counselor will be able to assist you finding programs to apply to.

Choosing the right career – It is not easy deciding on the most appropriate career to meet your goals for the future. Your high school counselor can be of great assistance in this area. By having talked to you, reviewed your school records, and suggested courses, they are in a position to make suggestions. They can help you narrow down your career choices but it is up to you to make the final choice.

Selecting the right college – Your high school counselor can assist you in narrowing down your career choices and then giving you a list of schools from which to choose. Your counselor will explain your options.

Your high school counselor can be a source of information and a helpful advisor when you are making choices for your future.