Brianna Jones

Ms. Barnes meets with a student.

Highschool is a four-year endeavor that can be difficult to navigate. However, you don’t have to travel alone. Summer Creek High School has a wonderful team of counselors who will help guide you through courses, life’s strains and preparation for what happens next. That being said, fall meetings are set to begin soon. These are student-led meetings where they are given one-on-one time with the counselors to make sure high school is as beneficial as possible, whether you have a plan or not. Here is a quick crash course with the help of Ms. Murray, student counselor for last names Loc – Mitt, and Ms. Block, student counselor for last names Stew – Z. 

Fall meetings tend to differ between under and upperclassmen because they are tailored to the individual needs and aspirations of the student. As a freshman, the first fall meeting is really to get to know the counselors and the school. Schoolwise, freshmen will get a basic rundown of credits, the importance of attendance, long-term and short-term goal setting as well as the importance of joining a club, organization or extracurricular.

“It is important to try new things so that you can have a better understanding of what you want to do in life,” said Ms. Block.” Join the clubs, try all the things, be willing to put yourself out there. Encouraging students to explore various extracurriculars not only enriches their school experience and their impact on college applications but allows them to discover new passions and talents.” 

For sophomores, the role of counselors will become increasingly influential in shaping the high school path now that they have warmed up to the environment. Sophomores get more options academically such as access to pass-fail grading options and how to utilize them. Additionally, they receive input and guidance on dual credit classes that can make the transition from high school classwork to college class work easier. Along with academics, sophomores are also able to partake in standardized exams such as the SAT, PSAT and the ACT that the counselors can give you resources to prepare for. 

Junior year is something colleges take note of. 

 “Prepare for the year by focusing on time management and finding resources. Colleges are more likely to accept students with well-roundedness and commitment juggling academics,” said Ms. Murray. 

Considered the most pivotal year of your high school career, juniors will be ramping things up just a little bit, intensifying their academics as well as their determination and responsibility. This fall meeting will set the stage for the impending senior year.

 Ms. Block urges students to have an idea of what you want to do and search for colleges, “Your closing years still require effort.”

 Junior year will tackle further navigation of your academics as well as maintaining excellence. Counselors might even mention college admissions, scholarship avenues and the dreaded standardized testing. The more you know the better, especially when it comes to college.

Finally, senior year has come around. The focus of the meetings will shift dramatically to what you plan to do after school. Depending on your route, this can include college applications, selecting a major and CCMR (College Career Military Readiness). As for previous years, these meetings are purely you, you, YOU and are purposefully designed to give support and guidance to you.

 Ms. Murray’s best piece of advice for those who are graduating would be to utilize Summer Creek’s plethora of resources. She says, “Counselors can help with financial aid, admissions, deadlines, how to reach out to military offices, and even basic needs, but you need to be hyper-vigilant and think about what comes next.”

 Resources such as College Night and Naviance aid in college readiness, career exploration, resume building and even surveys to help with college hunting.

Counselors are a big influence on the high school experience and every single one is appreciated at Summer Creek High School. They are a confidant to students and provide unwavering support and a wealth of knowledge to help students navigate the challenges and opportunities of high school, ultimately shaping brighter and more promising futures for students. Their dedication to their 500 students and expertise are what contribute to the growth and success of our school, and their impact is felt long after graduation.