8 Back to School Tips for Guidance Counselors

Posted by Laura Amendola on August 14, 2024

As a guidance counselor, you should enter into each new school year with the knowledge and expectation that different students need different support. Some needs you may be very aware of for returning students, but any new students can bring with them new needs, so it’s important to keep in mind that one size does not fit all when it comes to student support. Students with IEPs may require different guidance than students without, for example. You’ll also want to ensure you have resources readily available for any at-risk students.

 

For the high school students nearing the end of the secondary education journey, you may find yourself over-ridden with college brochures and SAT/ACT prep recommendations. Keep in mind, however, that college is not for everyone, and for some students, the act of graduating high school is the big goal. Consider creating personalized guidance plans, if feasible, so each of your students gets the best support possible.

 

Read more: How Education Inequality Impacts Student Success (and What to Do About It)

 

A school should be a safe and welcoming space for every student. Creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space takes work, however, so be sure to do your part to make every student feel comfortable. Here are a few strategies you or your school can use to do this:

• Promote cultural competence with trainings and celebrations
• Build positive relationships with active listening and open communication
• Create safe spaces such as safe zones and establish anti-bullying policies
• Encourage student voice with easy to deliver feedback
• Establish inclusive curriculum and activities
• Provide support services for academics as well as mental health
• Foster parental and community engagement
• Model inclusive behavior by leading by example
• Adapt physical environment for accessibility
• Regular assessment and improvement

 

To adequately support your students as they obtain their education, some things you can do include:

• Helping students set realistic and achievable academic goals.
• Providing resources for academic support (tutoring, study groups, online resources).
• Monitoring academic progress and intervening early when necessary.

 

Read more: 5 Strategies to Help Learners Earn a High School Diploma

 

Your role as guidance counselor may not always be limited to academics and post-grad prep. You may also have to work to identify and address social and emotional needs of your students, especially those related to school, like the effects of bullying and cliques.

 

It could be beneficial to have a plethora of resources at the ready for mental health struggles, such as counseling services or peer support groups. You should also be aware of all the extracurricular activities your school offers and even some offered elsewhere in order to recommend any that may work well for your students.

 

One of the biggest duties a guidance counselor has is working with students as they prepare for what comes next. Some students are on the college track while others may benefit from a trade or career school, and some may even immediately enter the workforce after graduation. Whatever a student’s post-secondary plans are, you’ll likely help guide them through their decision.

 

If a student is interested in attending college after high school, you can gather a list of schools that would be a good fit and provide important information, like if the school uses the common app or their own application, if they require standardized test scores, whether there are scholarships the student can apply for, and how financial aid works. You can also point students in the direction of online college degree programs if this option suits a student’s needs more than traditional in-person college.

 

For students who aren’t interested in college right after high school, you can help them explore options for careers that only require a high school diploma. A career or certification program can be a useful recommendation to help these students build their resume and get prepared for working in the adult world.

 

Read more: 3 Ways to Prepare High School Students for Jobs

 

Involving parents/guardians in the educational planning process can help the student stay on track. It can also help build strong communication channels between parents/guardians and the school. You can also offer workshops or resources for parents to help them support their child through their academic journey.

 

You can give the best guidance in the world and work alongside the best teachers and still have students who struggle, who think school isn’t for them. Advances in technology have opened doors to new ways for students to learn. Whether you offer small technological solutions, like read aloud extensions or additional webinars, or recommend a bigger change, like making the switch to online school, technology should be a tool you use often.

 

Having a partnership with an accredited online high school program can greatly benefit students who aren’t thriving in brick-and-mortar school. Schools like Penn Foster even offer credit recovery, so students who make this switch don’t have to start from square one. Not every student may need to make such a drastic change, however. You may have some students who simply need to earn credits they failed or weren’t able to complete for one reason or another. Setting them up with single courses at a trusted online school can make a huge difference in their academic career. Cathy Breymeier, High School Course Sales Manager at Penn Foster Group, explains how Penn Foster works with schools to determine what courses a student needs:

 

"We work with the schools to put that list together. We never assume or choose the credits that the student needs ourselves. We always want to make sure that whatever courses we're putting the student in is lining up with the school's requirements."

 

Read more: How to Set up Online High School Classes: A Checklist for Guidance Counselors & Schools

 

You can never get too much education, so take advantage of any professional development opportunities that come up. You can also network with other counselors and educational professionals to help deliver the best support you can to your students.

 

Trends and best practices in guidance counseling can change, so it’s important to stay up to date. The more resources you equip yourself with, the more resources you have to offer to your students.

 

Whether your students need regular visits with you or you see them sparingly, your role as guidance counselor is an important one as they move through their high school career.

 

If you’re interested in learning how to partner with an online school to benefit your students, reach out to our training experts.