When meeting your school counselor for the first time, you may be intimidated or confused about the role they play in your life. Your school counselor is a great resource to ensure you are set up for success beyond high school. Their purpose is to help you make the most of your high school experience. This includes making the most of your coursework in high school, supporting your social and emotional well-being, and planning for your future after high school! Here’s a list of questions to ask your counselor upon your first meeting:
Will I have the same counselor all 4 years?
If you have plans to attend college after high school, this is an important question to ask, for your counselor will likely write one of your letters of recommendation! No matter how your school assigns counselors, you will want to connect with them at least once a year. If you have the same counselor for all 4 years, now is a great time to develop that relationship!
How often will we have required meetings?
Some schools only have one mandatory meeting per year to discuss the following year’s schedule. Others have them more frequently. If you’re able to, the more you can meet with your counselor, the better. They’ll make better recommendations on appropriate courses, scholarships, and colleges to add to your list. Try to meet at least twice a year to go over your schedule in one meeting, and discuss whether you’re on track with graduation and your goals beyond high school.
How can I make an appointment with you?
Some counselors have walk-in hours, and others have secretaries who schedule their appointments. You may have to make an appointment in-person or online via email. It’s important to know how to reach your counselor! (Especially if you run into problems in class, at home, or with friends). Your school counselor is someone you can trust.
We hope these questions set the stage for a great relationship with your counselor. Always remember that they want to help you succeed, so don’t hesitate to utilize them as a resource of knowledge and guidance!