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Research reveals that students who come in contact with an effective counselor are 3.2% points more likely to graduate high school, attend college, and earn a degree.

High school counselors play a vital role in shaping the lives of students. They are responsible for providing academic, personal, and social guidance to students to help them navigate the challenges of high school and prepare for their future. As a school counselor, you are often the first point of contact for students when they are facing personal or academic difficulties, and hence can provide the support and resources necessary to help students overcome these challenges. Learn how you as a counselor can help your students and make a world of difference.

What Does A School Counsellor Do?

A high school counselor wears many hats and serves the social and emotional needs of the students so that they can be prepared for their academic rigor.

Amidst the wide array of responsibilities, some of the most common roles include:

• Identifying challenges affecting school performance
• Addressing behavioral and social problems
• Helping students develop skills required for academic success
• Counseling small groups and individuals
• Assessing student's interests and abilities
• Helping students achieve academic and career goals

Ways Counsellors Can Change The Lives Of The Students

The US Bureau of Labour Statistics indicates that employment of school and career counselors is projected to grow 10% from 2021-2031. This is because they have the potential to transform the lives of the students.

Some of the ways you can do so are:

1. Provide Academic Support

You will work with students to develop individualized academic plans, including course selection, scheduling, and goal-setting. They can help students identify their strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies to improve their academic performance.

You can also provide resources to help students succeed, such as tutoring, study skills workshops, and access to academic support programs.

2. Help Students Develop Socially

You can help students navigate the complex social dynamics of high school, including peer pressure, bullying, and relationship issues. Furthermore, it’s also your responsibility can also provide support and resources to students who are struggling with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.

They can connect students with community resources, such as therapists and support groups, and work with parents and teachers to create a supportive environment for the student.

3. Assist In Long-Term Planning

Counselors can help students explore career options and connect them with resources such as job shadowing, internships, and mentorship programs. Additionally, they guide the college application process, including identifying colleges that match a student's academic and career interests, preparing for standardized tests, and writing essays.

They can also help students navigate financial aid and scholarship opportunities, ensuring that they have access to the resources they need to achieve their goals.

4. Guide Students Emotionally

Adolescence is a challenging time for many students, and they may struggle with a wide range of emotional issues, from stress and anxiety to depression and substance abuse. Thus, you can offer a safe and confidential space for students to talk about their feelings and develop coping strategies.

Even more so, you can also connect students with mental health resources, such as therapists and support groups, and work with parents and teachers to create a supportive environment for the student.

5. Offer Parental Support

High school is not only tough for the kids but parents and families have to undergo a lot of life changes as well. As a counselor, you can help them navigate these changes by offering strategies on how to manage school applications, homework, parenting, and how to connect better with the children.

Majority of the parents find it difficult to handle teenagers and they have no idea how to tackle them. Therefore, be it offering family therapy, different means of communication, or workbooks, trained high school counselors can help families sail through tough times.

Better Counsellors Yield Better Outcomes

High school counselors in today's world have a wide swath of responsibilities. They are an indispensable part of today's education team and as suggested their importance will only grow in the coming years. Thus, if you are planning to indulge yourself and be a part of the growing workforce and help adolescents make the transition seamlessly; get yourself qualified with a Certificate in Counselling Course for Teachers as it is going to be a stepping stone to accomplishing your goals.