Here are the July Checklist and Cheatsheet! The checklist is a monthly resource collecting all of the typical duties and tasks for a college counselor for the month. See the PDF for July here, or read below. Then, the intention of the College Counseling Cheatsheet is to provide a 30-minute (or less) activity each weekday that college counselors can do to improve their counseling practice. Furthermore, the monthly calendar is designed to be uploaded as a CSV file into your Google (or other) calendar so you can get reminders and even move the event to whenever you want within your busy schedule. (Download the Cheatsheet, open your Google Calendar, open Settings, and follow the instructions in the Import/Export tab on the left-hand navigation menu!) Here is the link to the July Cheatsheet.

Take a look, and give me some feedback! Did I miss anything? Do you have any good ideas to share? Any thoughts? Please add them in the comments or email me!

July Checklist
"Exploring Educational Escapades"

The college counseling office focuses on preparing for the upcoming academic year, offering resources and guidance for students seeking educational opportunities during their break. Counselors work on reviewing and updating their resources, staying informed on the latest college trends, and planning for the upcoming school year. Students are encouraged to explore their interests, gain new experiences, and prepare themselves for their next academic challenge.

1. Update college application resources: Review and refresh your collection of college catalogs, viewbooks, and financial aid materials for the upcoming application season. This includes the School Profile, a Common App handout, presentations, email drafts, etc. Also, update your blog, by sharing summer activities, resources, and insights with your readers to keep them engaged and informed.

2. Reflect on the past school year: Analyze the successes and challenges of your counseling program, identifying areas for improvement or expansion.

3. Plan for professional development: Register for conferences, workshops, and seminars to enhance your skills and knowledge as a college counselor. What are your goals for the coming year? What can you do to support these goals with PD?

4. Organize student files: Ensure that all student records are up to date, including transcripts, test scores, and recommendation letters, in preparation for the next school year.

5. Create a fall event calendar: Develop a schedule of events and activities for the upcoming school year, such as college visits, workshops, and information sessions. Include a particular focus on parent programming as well!

6. Plan for grade 9 orientation: Organize activities and informational sessions to welcome incoming freshmen and introduce them to the college planning process.

7. Prepare for the next application cycle: Review rising grade 12 students' progress in their college search and application process, and develop action plans for the upcoming school year.

8. Set goals for the upcoming year: Establish objectives and benchmarks for your counseling program, based on data and feedback from the previous year.

9. Update Software: Check your software systems for new students and new student information to make sure all is accurate and updated across all platforms. Also, create accounts and update information for all faculty within your college counseling software.

10. Recharge and rejuvenate: Take some time for yourself to rest and recharge before the start of the next school year, ensuring that you are prepared and energized to support your students.

Again, if you have any ideas or thoughts, please put them in the comments below or email me!