‘Help! I want to drop out of university’: how to advise struggling ex-studentsEven well-counselled students will occasionally run into problems at university – and may come back to their high-school counsellor for advice
Is university rejection actually a failure? Our students tend to define success according to external criteria: exam results and university offers. But what if they saw things differently?
How to use CBT strategies to support catastrophising studentsThe university-application process can invoke panic, distress and anxiety. Cognitive behavioural therapy offers counsellors some tools to help students manage these emotions
Grades are not everything. But how can we convince students of that?A student comes to you in tears: ‘My friends are all getting better grades than me and are going to go to better universities than me.’ How can you help?
How to support anxious students – tips from a former therapistWe can’t take away all the triggers of mental-health struggles for our students. But we can ensure that our guidance is not one of those triggers
Four ways to help stressed students calm downAn increasingly important part of the counsellor’s job is guiding students through moments of stress and overwhelm. These techniques may prove useful
How to be a counsellor when your students want a therapistYou've been hired to help students get into college – but you find they’re telling you their hopes, dreams and fears. How should you respond?
How to help students cope with rejectionStudents often experience rejection for the first time when applying to university. Teaching them self-compassion can help ease the pain
Four ways to support students’ emotional wellbeingIt doesn’t matter how much information and data we give students – we will only be truly successful counsellors if we cater for their emotions too
How to help your students stay safe at universityFor many students, going to university means living independently for the first time in their lives.?Sarah Gratton offers some tips to help them stay safe
How to help students manage homesicknessLiving away from home in a new country or culture can be exciting – but also daunting. Here’s how to help your students prepare
Advising students on making friends at universityMoving to a new school or college brings plenty of chances to start afresh and meet new people. This guide offers some tips for advising students who are nervous about making friends at university
Why counsellors are prone to burnout – and how to combat itIt is widely acknowleged that therapists, teachers and social workers are particularly prone to burnout – but college counsellors should be included in this list, too
Four tips for creating proper boundaries for yourselfWorking with the highs and lows of the university admissions process can be exciting – and exhausting. These tips will help prevent burnout
How to deliver university counselling in a war zoneWhen war broke out in Khartoum, international school students dispersed around the globe – but their counsellors’ job didn’t end
Counsellor resource: five ways to build bridges in a solitary professionHow can you build bridges with other counsellors in a profession that can often feel quite solitary? Jenny Tassell, head of the counselling department at the International School of Panama, shares five tips for building a strong professional network
How to survive working in a one-person departmentBeing a one-person office can feel like a non-stop race. But with the right strategies, you can reach more students and reclaim your time
How to establish boundaries as a counsellorUniversity counselling is a demanding profession – and not setting proper boundaries can lead to burnout. How can counsellors take care of themselves?
How to survive the busiest time of yearIt’s that time of year when workload increases, emotions run high and it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Stephanie Grafe offers some coping strategies
Why putting yourself first is the best thing for your studentsTo ensure that counsellors are able to help and support their students, they need to look after their own well-being. What are the best ways to do this?
