SEL and the Journey to College

As students prepare for the college planning journey, counselors play an integral role in helping to plan the academic focus and assisting with the application process. Social-emotional learning (SEL), the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control and interpersonal skills thatare vital for success in college, is no less important.

SEL, which evolves inside and outside the classroom, provides exceptional support for students. Social-emotional learning and belonging have taken a front-row seat to how teachers and counselors create and sustain healthy and inclusive learning environments.

As with academics, counselors must be mindful of the importance of empowering their students to be their best while expecting the best. 

There are many books and courses to teach counselors how to best support their students’ social and emotional needs in a post-pandemic world, but the best learning comes from counselors sharing their best practices and experiences.

Here are the key components of SEL.

Self-awareness: We want students to feel valued and included throughout the process of college planning. The decisions that are made impact their identity and the way they view the world around them. Their involvement in these decisions is critical.

Self-management:  Self-management is more than just keeping to a schedule. It is a part of how we learn to balance and how to prioritize. Organization is necessary in every aspect of life. Students can best learn to self-manage throughout the college planning process by establishing goals, setting priorities, and practicing the art of collaboration. Students should not feel as though they are on an island. They should feel the support of those who want the best for them.

Accountability: It is great when students can self-manage, but it is also great to have accountability to reinforce this concept. Giving support is more than just cheering from the sidelines. It is also the duty of checking in to ensure that students have goals and that they know which is the most important at any given time.

Social awareness and relationship skills are key! Here are the 3 E’s – things counselors can do to accelerate SEL.

·        Encourage students to build upon the idea of community and camaraderie. Challenge them to explore opportunities that will enhance their perspective of themselves and the world around them.

·        Explore social clubs and organizations prospective schools may offer. As counselors, we tend to encourage our students to build their academic portfolio and their resume so they become stand-out students. This should not be just a “live for the moment skill,” but one that transfers into the next phase of their journey.

·        Empower them to look for ways they can shine act on the ones that they feel will allow them to be the best they can be.

Choosing the best-fit college can be challenging and overwhelming, but who said that adolescents can’t make responsible decisions? In many cases, adolescents have a unique sense of freedom in their thoughts. They are not confined to thinking in the box. While this may cause nail-biting moments at times, it is not always a negative.

Students should be empowered to challenge themselves in a way that their selection is based on the school that will provide them with the most opportunities and support possible based on several factors:

Academic: This is one of the most important aspects of the college life! Which colleges under consideration offer the majors and minors that the student plans to pursue?

Financial: Unfortunately, this can be the most stressful aspect. The variation of costs and factors is so vast that its important for counselors to provide the most up-to-date information to both students and families. It is also important to remember that students’ lives differ and so does the level of support needed for them to have a smooth start to college.

Social: Big campus or small school? Urban, suburban or rural? What are the clubs, athletics and student leadership opportunities that appeal to the student?

Career placement and support: Internships, resume building and interviewing skill development provide a seamless transition for students as they move from college into the real world.

The student who has had the opportunity to develop self-awareness, self-management and accountability will be able to take the counselors’ due diligence and advice and make the best decisions for themselves.

Sylvia Cason, www.MyCollegePlanningTeam.com, is a dedicated and experienced professional within the field of education. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Trinity University, Washington.  Since that time, she has obtained three Master’s degrees in Counseling (Trinity University) , Educational Leadership (St. Thomas University) & Curriculum & Instruction: Trauma and Resilience (Concordia University).  In addition to this, she is a licensed School Counselor and Administrator.  Sylvia is excited to be part of My College Planning Team because it allows her to pursue the work that she is passionate about, which is helping students reach their goals.