By October, the school year is officially moving, and for college-bound students, so are the deadlines. Applications, scholarships, testing plans, recommendation requests, financial aid preparation, essays, and school responsibilities can quickly turn an exciting senior year into something that feels a little scary.
For students navigating the process for the first time in their families, it can feel even more overwhelming.
One of the most valuable things counselors can offer during this season is a simple reset. Instead of asking students, “Have you finished your applications?” try breaking the process into smaller questions:
A short conversation can uncover a missing step before it becomes a missed opportunity.
Use these questions during a quick meeting with a student:
-What is your next important deadline?
-What application, testing, or financial aid task still needs attention?
-Who are you waiting on, or who is waiting on you?
-What is one question you have not asked because you were not sure whom to ask?
-What is the one thing you can complete this week?
The goal does not have to be doing everything at once. It can simply be making sure students know what comes next.
October is also a helpful time to make sure testing is part of the larger application plan, not a separate task students have to figure out on their own.
Encourage students to review how the colleges and scholarship programs on their list use ACT scores. Then, help them consider:
The right plan will look different for every student. A brief conversation can help students make an informed decision instead of waiting until deadlines feel too close.
Counselors also do not have to manage this season alone. Community organizations, college-access programs, alumni, local colleges, and trusted volunteers can help schools host application workshops, scholarship sessions, college planning events, and family information nights.
Partnerships can be especially valuable when counselor caseloads are high and students need more individualized assistance than one person can realistically provide.
Consider partnering with a local college, community organization, alumni group, or college-access program to host an Application & Opportunity Hour, where students can bring questions and leave having completed at least one task.
Asking for help is part of the process, not evidence that a student is behind. College and career planning involves unfamiliar systems, new terminology, and a lot of decisions. Helping students create a clear plan can turn a frightening list of deadlines into manageable next steps.
Deadlines are a lot less frightening when students have a plan and someone helping them navigate it.