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The Junior Year: Tips for School Counselors

In the fall of each year I go into the classroom to meet with my juniors to introduce them to their junior year, gather data to help me best plan for them and share their junior year folders. Follow the classroom visit I meet with each junior one on one. For those juniors who need more I meet with them again, or in small groups after their one on one meeting.

Junior year marks a turning point as we begin to really dig into what life after high school might look like for for our students. During the junior year I expect my students to become more aware of and improve their EQ, create more concrete goals for their future, and set SMART goals and monitor them (with support). As the year progresses I create opportunities for them to learn more about post-secondary options and carve out time for them to create a solid post-secondary plan.

I remind them that their schedule may be packed with rigorous academic class and little time to explore other interests, but encourage them to take time to breathe, relax, laugh and enjoy life. My students are blessed with an incredible support network, I encourage them to identify at least one adult they can connect well with and keep the lines of communication open with them. Don’t let the anxiety of your daily “to-do” list overwhelm you...seeking help when you need it is ALWAYS a smart move.

My hope for juniors is that they focus on growing, learning, exploring, and being their best advocate. Each quarter they complete specific School Counseling assignments via my school counseling classroom, but I also remind them to be sure to read their email often so they stay in the loop.

I create a Junior Folder for each student.
JUNIOR EXPECTATIONS

1. Assess Emotional Intelligence and work towards improving it.  Your EQ is your ability to be aware of, understand & manage your emotions.
2. Set SMART goals (share in Major Clarity)
3. Create an Academic & Career Plan (via Major Clarity)
4. Know career attributes related to career interests
5. Know deadlines, test timing, cost & prep for industry-based certification for career pathway
6. Complete a college search & build a college list to prep for senior year (Big Future & Major Clarity)
7. Create a resume (in Major Clarity, or Upload to Major Clarity)
8. Take the SAT

Learn more about exactly what is in those junior folders and what I discuss with my juniors here.


High School Curriculum -- Junior Year

  • Social/Emotional

  • Academic

    • Stay school focused; 6th semester data is ever-important. [M5, M6]

    • Engage in Dual Credit/Enrollment opportunities with the local community college. [M4, B-LS 8, B-SMS 10]

    • Set & review goals (GPA & SAT / personal & class goals). [M2, B-LS 4 & 7, B-SMS 5]

    • Be clear with students at-risk & celebrate student success. [B-SMS 1 & 6]

  • College/Career

    • Shift the conversation - from the past, to here & now, then 🡪 future. [M5, B-SS 5, B-SMS 2 & 4]

    • Communicate opportunities & connect students - based on eligibility, interests, aptitudes, etc. (ASVAB?)

    • Resume Creation  [M3, B-LS10, B-SS2, B-SS3, B-SS7]

    • Time is precious – independent work time and a structured Activity Guide will go a long way. [M4, B-LS 4]

    • Complete the SuperMatch College Search (save your search)--ask students to add at least three college to their“"Colleges I am thinking about list" [M4, B-LS-1, B-LS7, B-LS9] Resources: (My Next Move | Big Future)

    • Make information accessible - Post-Secondary: Helpful Links & Resources  [B-LS 5]

    • Deadlines, test timing, cost & prep for industry-based certification for career pathway [B-LS 9]

*Note to counselor: stay connected & keep trying new ideas because you never know what will be that student's "aha moment" to turn it around, or get serious about the next step.

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