counselors preparing juniors for college

How Oakton has increased college programs for juniors

With the near end of the school year, the Oakton community is making a larger effort to prepare current juniors for both senior year and college. Everyone knows that the gap between junior year to senior year and then college is a large one and lots of preparation by students and their families must be done prior to this transition. During this school year, during the 2018-2019 school session, an increased effort by Oakton has been shown by the influx in programs available to students and their families to get their students ready for their future academic careers. But what exactly are these programs and how are they really helping students step their foot out the door of Oakton into the real working world?

Ms. Wyatt, a counselor here at Oakton has the answer. She, among numerous of her colleagues, have held one-on-one student counselor sessions to talk to students about their future plans and college ambitions. According to Ms. Wyatt, these programs are a great way for students to decide what they want to do in the future and get “advice on the topic.” According to counselors at Oakton, the new program has been implemented this year because of the renovation and difficulty scheduling sessions which construction is happening. Junior students will have the opportunity to meet with their counselors periodically throughout the day until the beginning of April and can sign up for an appointment through SignUpGenius.

According to counselors at Oakton, the new program has been implemented this year because of the renovation and difficulty scheduling sessions which construction is happening. Previously, the junior counseling sessions included both parents and students talking to a counselor. This new program, unlike last years allows students a better understanding on the college admissions process, while allowing both students and parents to have their own programs to increase Oakton community understanding. The new program has offered students more information on the overall college experience, while giving students the chance to sign up for college interest programs and internships before college applications are due in the early fall time.

Another program that was available to junior students and their families this year was the Junior Parent’s Night assembly that took place on March 14th and was a great opportunity for parents of current juniors to learn more information about college admissions and the overall process from Oakton faculty and staff. The program provided parents with information on the college admission process and how to best write your essays to get into college. The program left parents and students with a plan of action for the future, helping to set students up for success in their upcoming endeavours.

Without a doubt, Oakton’s increased involvement in guiding juniors through their future ambitions have proved beneficial for students. Jenna Feldman, a current junior, remarks that the counselor interviews have been very helpful and have helped a lot with her deciding what to do in the future. The Oakton community has done a great job creating programs this year to help students and their families find their career paths and learn more about college. Hopefully in the future, these programs will continue to persist to be available to next year’s rising juniors!