Surviving Recommendation Season
Recommendation season is here. Four practical strategies plus a free copy-and-paste college recommendation letter template to help counselors stay organized.
Helping Seniors Balance Applications and Schoolwork
Seniors are juggling classes, activities, tests, and now college applications. Here are practical ways to help them balance it all without burning out.
College List Prioritization for Seniors
Help seniors focus their college lists before deadlines. This week’s post shares a simple worksheet to set priorities, track deadlines, and estimate costs.
Fall Week 2: Basic Communication Plan
A steady communication plan can save your inbox — and your sanity. This post offers a simple way to keep students, families, and teachers in the loop without overthinking it. Copy/paste planner included.
Fall Week 1: Some College Counseling Tips for Your First Week Back
Whether you’re already back or just gearing up, here are a few simple, low-stress ways to get your college counseling work off to a strong start — plus a free planner to help you stay focused (and not overwhelmed).
July Reset 4: Build Your Postsecondary Calendar Now; Update it Later
Fall moves fast — but a rough postsecondary calendar now can prevent major stress later. This post helps high school counselors map out key dates, events, and planning blocks before the year ramps up.
July Reset Week 3: Summer Counselor Rec Letters…. Your October Self Will Thank You
October is brutal. I’ve heard more than one college counselor refer to it as “Suck-tober.” Rec letters, early deadlines, FAFSA updates, last-minute questions from seniors, meetings you didn’t plan for — and somehow you’re supposed to sit down and write thoughtful, personalized letters in the middle of all that? July is quieter. That’s what makes […]
July Reset Week 2: The School Profile
Many schools still don’t have a school profile — but this quiet document plays a big role in how colleges read your students’ applications. Here’s what it is, why it matters, and free tools to help you create one that supports equity and context.
July Reset, Week 1: The College Counseling Summer Checklist
Before the year ramps up, take a moment to reset. This back-to-school checklist for college counselors covers all the small but important updates that can make August less chaotic — from school profiles and folders to FERPA forms and rep visit tools. Even the obvious stuff is here, because sometimes that’s what gets missed.
The Money Talk – A Guide to the Family College Cost Conversation
I know this blog feels like it’s jumping around — essays one week, college lists the next, and now finances? You’re not wrong. But I’m intentionally trying to hit the most critical advising topics up front, so counselors have tools ready for the year ahead. In my experience, the family college cost conversation is one […]