A Little Guidance

A guidance counselor's job is to guide students through the college application process, or to help them find their first post-graduation job. With all of the resources available, it's a wonder that many students never take advantage of them.

If you're thinking about higher education, yours school's counselor can help you with all aspects of college planning, from choosing a list of schools, to filling in the applications, taking the necessary tests, and applying for scholarships. In theory, you can research all of this yourself. In practice, it's much better to ask for help. After all, this is your first time going through the college application process. The guidance counselor has done this many times with other students. Why not take advantage of his expertise?

The best time to approach the counselor is during your sophomore year. It's never too soon to start thinking about college. The counselor can tell you which courses you'll need to take to get into the school of your choice. S/he can also advise you about extra-curricular activities, which are not only fun, but will also look good on your application.

During your junior year, the counselor can help you register for the SATs and other standardized tests. Your school may even have special prep classes to boost your scores. If you're looking for a summer job, the counselor may have a list of local employers that hire students. If you're lucky, you may even find a job that will give you a bit of insight into what it's like to work in your chosen field.

In your senior year, the counselor can be an invaluable resource for choosing colleges and applying for scholarships. Ask about local scholarships that you won't find in online searches. The counselor's advice can increase your chances of getting into the school of your choice and finding the money to pay for it.