This post is part of a series of monthly posts intended to assist a number of categories of educators with interest in college counseling. These monthly posts will provide a summary of the typical or recommended work of a college counselor, including providing a link to our monthly Cheatsheet, a daily task of 30-minutes or so for college counselors. In addition to these ideas and suggestions for those in the college counseling realm, they will also include some suggestions for those ancillary to this world, such as administrators, board members, etc.

April: The Downhill Sprint Begins

As the end of the academic year nears, there is a common sense of things as begin frenetic in college counseling offices. While I cannot cite my source, the time between spring break and graduation was once explained to me as being a “downhill sprint” for college counselors. There is so much going on that requires our attention, presence, and focus along with an increasing number of events and celebrations, not to mention a typically lengthy span of time with no vacations. The end of the year can be very intense, and April seems to be the start of it. Back to the downhill sprint metaphor, the point is that we will all get to the bottom of the hill (graduation/summer vacation) one way or the other. We can only hope to keep our feet beneath us. 

What follows are some of the topics and concepts that are (or ought to be) on the to-do list of college counselors this month:

• Setting the Seniors Loose. During this span of time, most seniors applying to North American and European destinations will have learned of their results, and so, the role of the college counselor tends to be in assisting with making the final decision. At the same time, college counselors are obligated to assist these students as well with finding their way to a successful conclusion to high school and a successful start to college. Transition programming often begins as the end of the school year comes within sight.

• Getting the Juniors Started. While many college counseling offices will have begun working with the juniors previously, it tends to be in April that the work starts to mount. Often teacher letters of recommendation, drafts of essays, initial college lists, parent meetings, etc all come due this month.

• Perspective. April often also sees a number of other responsibilities in regards to younger classes – such as those dealing with course selection processes – and broader administrative tasks – such as board reports, etc. There is much to keep busy with here.

• College Counseling Cheatsheet. The Cheatsheet provides roughly 30-minute or less tasks that appear on your calendar each weekday and that are designed to improve your counseling practice. From tips to strategies to reminders, this can help you stay organized.

• Seek help. Consider the ways that we here at Lamplighter might be able to assist. Take a look at what we might be able to offer. 

Suggestions for Admin:

• Support Down Time. As the downhill spring begins, it is enormously helpful for administration to do what it can to protect college counselors from being overwhelmed and overburdened. This really comes to light if an administrator were to ask college counselors how much work they are doing away from school, in the evenings and on the weekends. It is helpful to understand this and to do whatever you might to curb it for the sake of college counselors’ wellness.

• Support the Wind Down. There is much that must be done as graduation nears and students ready to disappear from campus. The more administration can step in to assist, whether by tracking down students or collecting information, the more smoothly this process can unfold.

• Understand the Results. It is enormously important for administrators to understand not only the results that the current senior class is yielding but also why, in the perspective of the college counseling office, these results came about. Ask questions! 

Be sure to let us know if you have any questions or suggestions. We are always happy to incorporate and share others’ feedback.