6 Tips For New School Counselors: Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started As A School Counselor

🎉Are you a brand new school counselor, graduate student, or veteran counselor in a new school?
6 TIPS FOR NEW SCHOOL COUNSELORS: Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started As A School Counselor

6️⃣After watching this video, you will leave with 6 tips on how to begin the school year positively and be prepared. Within the 6 tips are also other helpful nuggets of advice.
Get comfortable, grab your pen and notebook, and take notes!

❤️School Counselors are the heart of the school and wear many hats. Counselors do so many things that some may not even realize. Counselors prepare lessons, teach skills related to academics, social emotional learning, and college and career readiness, and do so many other things.

😩Starting as a new counselor can be stressful. There’s so many things to do to prepare and get your mind, body, and spirit ready for the new school year. New counselors may be feeling confused or stressed and may not know where to start.

👋🏾My name is John Burnett and I am a middle school counselor. This is my 11th year in education overall. This year marks my 5th year as a school counselor. Ive worked in elementary and middle school environments and I’ve learned many things along the way.

❤️Many of the lessons I learned the hard way and it is my desire that you go in knowing what to expect from your role.This profession is one where grad school can only prepare you for so much. You may have questions.

[CoriLuvTV]

Yes to the years. I’m so glad to see a male counselor. You’re needed in the schools. ❤️

[Kenus_L]

My favorite point was “setting boundaries”. This expectation can be applied to all professions. It’s important to set reasonable boundaries in the beginning. Healthy Boundaries allow you perform at your best for all stakeholders - parents, teachers, students and community partners! Great video and even better insight! 😊

[jillzitt]

My favorite tip, "Ask Questions." As a school counselor coach, I know how important it is for new counselors to ask questions! Great video, will be sharing link with our school counselors! Thank you.

[bilqissulthanannasira]

Ugh... this is all true..
I came across ur video right time when i needed it!

Glad i'm not feeling lonely anymore.

My favorite tips is about boundary. You're right, being student counselor is like wearing so many different hats. And i almost forget myself for the past 3 weeks.

I feel so uncomfortable bcs i push myself too hard to be available for everyone. But no one happy, no one pleased, including myself.

Then i get burn out & not being present in my work.

It's really really important to set boundaries. Not just physical boundaries but also emotional, energy, and time boundaries!

[vladstoica]

Hello! This is very helpful. Thank you! This is my second year as a counselor. In my first year I was in an elementary school. I had 1000+ students, 90% minorities, struggling with social adaptation. I took too many responsibilities and I collapsed at the end of the year, with depression, anxiety and lack of motivation. I took myself a sabbatical year, I reorganized my life and developed my self-compassion and now I am a highschool counselor and is way better. It's very important to be very organized and open at school, but when you finish your 8 hours of work you must set firm boundaries and take care of yourself.

[marprisamariner]

Great videos! I'm a 20+ year vet, leaving secondary ELA beginning my first year as an Elementary School Counselor and I'm trying not to freak out! All the tips were great---Building the Program & Setting Boundaries most resonated with me. Thanks so much for your very insightful and helpful videos.

[anitalagrone]

Enjoyed you video! This was very helpful. My favorite tip was, "Give yourself grace" Very encouraging.

[alejandrozendejas]

My favorite tips that really resonated with me are stay organized, set boundaries, and know students names - but all the tips were really great! Thank you! I hope we both of a great year!

[Oes]

Oh wow, thank you thank you thank you!! I just moved to a new state to start my first school counseling job and I am beyond nervous. My favorite tip was to set boundaries between your work and personal life. I love my alone time and me time and I think setting those boundaries are going to be so key for me. Thank you for this video!

[DrChristie]

Thank you for what you doing!!! I love being a School Counselor! Love the very 1st tip of building relationships it is essential! Kids share more when they trust you and know you care!

[lakeshaearl]

Great job John! I am a 20 year veteran entering into a new school and environment (virtual) and these tips served as a great refresher! My favorite tip was “setting boundaries” as this has been something that I’ve had to learn over time to ensure my cup is full. 😊 Thanks for the video!

[RuthieMicaela]

This is awesome! I am high school based therapist possibly transitioning to a middle school counselor role next year. The school is a brand new school and I would be their first school counselor! I will have to build the program from the ground up😅. I'm excited but so nervous!

[Stars]

I'm 25 and going back to college and I feel a push to go back for a school guidance counselor. I'm excited and thanks for sharing your tips and experiences!

[ropateraiyawafoiakau]

Thank you sharing just started my classes major in counselling looking forward to your videos

[jasenokunnuga]

My favorite tip is about boundaries and as a person that case managed for several years I made sure not to check my voicemail or emails and to leave work at work so that my personal life Wouldn’t get consumed by work life.

The most useful tips for me is about organization and a needs assessment. I need to make sure I have a system of capturing everything that comes my way so that I can use it when the time comes for it to be useful. In the past I been caught up with receiving a good resource but not being able to use it later on because I lost the info. I feel the needs assessment will help identify what is needed today and priorities can be placed.

[sabihaliaqat]

Thank you from UK, you are amazing! I am learning so much from you.

[felicianothorpe]

Wow a male school counsellor.A big shout out from Jamaica.

[kmackey]

Great tips I guess if I had to decide which one resonate with me will be give yourself Grace and self care. Enjoyed watching the video.

[andrewnash]

Thank you for this! I am starting my masters degree for this field and feel nervous but excited to get started !

[ernestoespinoza]

You dont even know how helpful your videos have been for me these last few days! This is my first year as a K-5 school counselor and am currently going through a standalone PPSC program (already have M.A.) I worked in higher ed for 4 years prior and let me tell you, COMPLETELY different environments. High-key wish I had a site supervisor like you to learn the ropes from! Thank you for doing these videos.