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HPHS Counseling Department
School year 2023-24: Semester 2 | Quarter 3
Spring has Sprung!
This is the third of your counseling newsletters for the 2023-24 school year which will contain important counseling related information. The newsletters can also be found on the Counseling website under the Newsletter tab. Please take a moment to read through the information below.
Postsecondary Counselor Appointments
Individual appointments for junior students and families with Postsecondary Counselors began in January and will continue throughout the spring. Before making an appointment check your account in MaiaLearning, where you will see the name of your assigned postsecondary counselor when you click on the Connections section of your Student Dashboard. *See slides 18 & 19 from our 11/8 Kick-Off program for a visual. Once you know who your designated Postsecondary Counselor is, visit our webpage to make your appointment by clicking on the name of your counselor under Contacts.
Initial appointments are scheduled through Calendly and are 55 minutes in length and must be scheduled during a free period. It is highly recommended that students complete the self-assessment form which is shared through a link in the appointment sign up, or found on our website before your initial appointment. Doing this, will make your first meeting much more informative and productive.
Recommendation Letters for Juniors
Attention juniors! Senior year will be here before you know it! As part of many college applications, a letter of recommendation from a counselor can be required. Counselors will be meeting with students in the late Spring and Fall to discuss their letters.
All students must meet with their counselor before a recommendation can be written. Prior to this meeting students must complete the Student Questionnaire so that its contents can be discussed during the meeting. There is also an optional Parent Questionnaire. Both forms are accessible as a Google Form. A Spanish version of the Parent Questionnaire is also available. All recommendation forms can be accessed on the Postsecondary Counseling website under Information for Seniors.
Recognizing the importance of the counselor recommendation, it is crucial that the counselor appointment be scheduled a minimum of 15 school days prior to the student’s first application deadline. A recommendation will not be written without the completed student questionnaire and counselor meeting.
Similarly, the time to approach your teacher for a recommendation is approaching. Here are some things to consider for Teacher Recommendations:
Many colleges do not require any teacher recommendations
Most colleges that require a teacher recommendation just need 1
More selective colleges will require 2
More is not necessarily better
Typically required from teachers of academic classes
Preferably from junior year
Teachers who know you as a learner
Usually talk with teachers about recommendations after Spring Break
PSAT & SAT
Looking for free SAT practice? Visit Khan Academy here for official SAT study resources.
Test Taking Strategies
Do you get nervous or anxious before taking a test? It's natural to feel some stress about taking tests. In fact, sometimes a little adrenaline (a hormone made by your body during times of excitement or stress) is a good thing to jump-start you.
Here are some tips for taking tests from Nemours Children’s Health:
Go into the test with confidence. In other words, make sure you’ve done enough studying to feel confident that you know the material. Staying confident makes it easier to remember everything you need to know.
Get enough sleep the night before the test. Your memory recall will be much better if you've had enough sleep. A scientific study showed that people who got enough sleep before taking a math test did better than those who stayed up all night studying.
Put away all your study materials before the test. Many students will still be frantically reviewing the material 10 minutes before the test gets handed out, but this won’t help you do any better. It’s more important for you to clear your mind and relax during this time, so you’ll save your mental energy for the actual test.
Listen closely to any instructions. As the teacher hands out the test, be sure you know what's expected of you.
Read through the test first. When you have the test in front of you, go through it to see how long it is. This will let you estimate how much time you have for each section and ask the teacher any questions.
Answer the questions in any order. As you take the test, if you don't know an answer try not to get stuck on it. Instead, answer the best way you can, or skip over the question and come back to it later. You may find it easier to answer a question you’ve skipped after you've answered other questions.
Relax. If you're so nervous that you blank out, you might need a mini-break. You can wiggle your fingers and toes, take 4 or 5 deep breaths, or picture yourself on a beach or some other calm place. You can even stretch a little at your desk.
Running out of time? It’s OK if you don’t finish every question on the test. Do your best to answer the questions you can, and keep an eye on the clock so you know how much time is left for any remaining questions you still need to answer. You can always guess if you’re stuck on some of the questions and time is running out.
Finished already? Although most teachers will let you hand a test in early, it's usually a good idea to spend any extra time checking your work. Take a minute to breathe deeply and clear your mind before reviewing your answers. You may end up adding more details to some of your answers that you didn’t think you'd have time for.
April is Stress Awareness Month!
As we embark on Stress Awareness Month, it's crucial to recognize the impact that stress can have on our lives and take proactive steps to manage it effectively. Stress is a natural part of life, but when left unchecked, it can wreak havoc on our physical and mental well-being. That's why it's essential to arm ourselves with strategies to combat stress head-on. One key tip is to prioritize self-care: carve out time in your schedule for activities that nourish your body and soul, whether it's exercising, meditating, or indulging in a favorite hobby. Additionally, practice mindfulness and be present in the moment, rather than getting lost in worries about the past or future. Remember to set boundaries and learn to say no when necessary to avoid overcommitting yourself. Therefore don't underestimate the power of seeking support from loved ones or a professional if you're feeling overwhelmed. By implementing these tips and cultivating a stress-resilient mindset, we can navigate life's challenges with greater ease and embrace a healthier, happier existence.
Spring Break: How To Refill Your Tank
Picture this: spending quality time with friends, laughing until your sides ache, and feeling the warmth of companionship wash over you. Whether it's a coffee date, a movie night, or simply chatting on the phone, nurturing your social connections is like a soothing balm for the soul. Then there's the magic of losing yourself in a good book. Whether you prefer to dive into a thrilling mystery, explore far-off lands in a fantasy epic, or delve into the depths of human emotion with a deep memoir, reading is a form of self-care that transports you to another world, if only for a little while. Of course, let's not forget the importance of catching up on sleep. In a world where burnout is all too common, getting enough rest isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity. So, curl up under the covers, let your worries drift away, and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever the day may bring. And what about exercise? It's not just about sculpting the perfect physique; it's about nourishing your body and mind. Whether you prefer to hit the gym, go for a run in the park, or stretch it out with some yoga, physical activity is a powerful form of self-care that leaves you feeling strong, invigorated, and ready to take on the world.
Last but certainly not least, checking in with yourself on an emotional level is perhaps the most crucial form of self-care of all. Take a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect on how you're feeling. Are there any emotions bubbling beneath the surface that need to be acknowledged? By tuning into your innermost thoughts and feelings, you can better understand yourself and take proactive steps to nurture your emotional well-being.
So, I implore you: don't neglect your own needs in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Make self-care a priority. Fill your cup with laughter, knowledge, rest, movement, and introspection. Because when you take care of yourself, you're better equipped to show up for others—and for life itself.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday-Friday, March 25th-29th: Spring break (No School)
Monday, April 1st: Institute Day (No Classes)
Wednesday, April 10th: SAT/PSAT
Thursday, April 11th: Extended Homeroom (P)SAT
Friday, April 12th: (P)SAT and Spring Sports Pep Rally
Tuesday, April 16th: Genocide Commemoration Assembly
Monday, May 6th: Extended Homeroom Career Counseling Lesson
Monday, May 13th: Last Day of School for Seniors
Monday-Friday, May 6th-17th: Advanced Placement (AP) Testing
Wednesday, May 22nd: Class of 2024 Graduation
Monday, May 27th: Memorial Day (No School)
Tuesday-Friday, May 28th-31st: Final Summative Exam Week
Looking Ahead ~ Upcoming HPHS Postsecondary Counseling Programs
April 10&17, 2024 6:30PM
Exploring the Admission Process
Highly Selective Admissions - 4/10/24
College Admission Case Study - 4/17/24