Counseling Corner: Willowbrook Guidance Department offers Winter Break advice for students

As the first semester of the 2016-17 school year comes to an end, the Willowbrook Guidance Department offers suggestions and recommendations for areas in which students should focus during Winter Break.

Freshmen:

  • Research courses of interest for sophomore year, and complete the four-year-plan worksheet.
  • Complete your course selection worksheet, and be prepared to meet with your counselor and choose classes in January.

Sophomores:

  • Begin researching careers of interest through using Naviance and visiting the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh.
  • Begin analyzing and determining which courses you need to take junior year based on your college and career plans, as well as graduation requirements you still need to meet.
  • Complete the four-year-plan worksheet.

Juniors:

  • Continue to use Naviance, and add colleges to the list of “Colleges I’m Thinking About.”
  • Complete the Building Colleges List worksheet in your Next Step booklet.
  • Begin analyzing and determining which courses you need to take senior year based on your college and career plans, as well as graduation requirements you still need to meet.
  • Begin creating a résumé in Naviance.
  • Begin preparing for the SAT by registering for the SAT Prep class, creating an account at www.SATpractice.org for free and customized online prep through Khan Academy, visiting the local library and determining your top four colleges of interest to add to your SAT registration.

Seniors:

  • Start reviewing your college decision letters and updating your Naviance account.
  • Search and apply for scholarships.
  • Apply for your FSA ID and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2017-18 school year (if you haven’t already).

All students:

  • Continue to explore clubs and activities to get more involved. There are a number of spring athletic opportunities and clubs you can still join. See more information at http://tinyurl.com/zqqhk4o.
  • Set academic goals for second semester.
  • Rest, and enjoy time with family and friends!