As high school comes to an end, making decisions about the next stage in life can seem daunting. Selecting the right college, choosing what to study, finding financial aid and exploring the many other areas of higher education can be overwhelming. But students do have one resource that can greatly reduce the stress of navigating a career path: a guidance counselor.

   High school guidance counselors can provide students with many resources to make the transition from high school to college a smooth one.

   “Guidance counselors work with students to explore careers and to match that career choice with a college that fits their future goals,” explained Joy Hemmig, assistant director for scholarships in the Office of Undergraduate Admission at The University of Toledo.

   Initial meetings with a guidance counselor should give students some insight into what career they are interested in and should help prepare them for standardized tests.

   “Most students should do an initial career exploration with their guidance counselor during their junior year or sooner. Students should meet with a guidance counselor several times during their senior year for support with college applications, information about scholarship opportunities and to review progress,” Hemmig said.

   “Guidance counselors should be able to provide students with options,” said Ardelia Shuler-Freeman, a non-traditional student services specialist at UT. “Every student is different.

   “Often students entering college are undecided regarding a career choice. Many times they choose schools they consider popular, but may not be the best fit for them. Guidance counselors can be instrumental in providing information that helps students choose the most appropriate school offering their program of interest,” Shuler-Freeman said.

Hemming and Shuler-Freeman recommend getting to know your counselor early on and keep parents in the loop by involving them in meetings with you and your counselor.

   Here are a few questions they suggested to help you get a conversation going with your guidance counselor:

* What courses should I take to make sure that I am on track for graduation?

* How should I study to ensure success on my standardized tests?

* What kinds of grades do different colleges require?

* Which schools are known for my intended major?

* Are there any scholarships or awards that I can be working toward?

* What forms do I need to apply for financial aid?

* What different organizations and programs do different schools offer?

* What is the deadline to apply to a certain college?

   Regular meetings with a guidance counselor allow the counselor to get a better idea of a student’s strengths, leading to a more positive letter of recommendation. They also prepare high school students for the similar experience that they will have with college admission counselors and academic advisors.

   “During the college application process, a student will work closely with their admission counselor. Once a student has committed to their college of choice and throughout their academic career, they will seek advice from their academic advisor to select courses and seek additional help to be successful within their academic program,” Hemmig said.