The beginning of the second semester is a notoriously busy time for students and teachers. New classes require students to get orientated with new teachers while also quickly diving into coursework. However, it is perhaps most busy for the school counselors who deal with creating new schedules, responding to change requests, and monitoring students’ mental health. 

The new semester offers counselors a unique challenge. They have to piece together schedules for hundreds of students while accommodating special needs and requests. “Once we release the schedules for the second semester therein lies the challenge of making adjustments for our students,” Counselor Elizabeth Robinson said .

Counselors also have to deal with the end of the first semester while planning for the second semester. Grades have to be finalized and counselors are responsible for making sure their students are doing the things they need to do. “We are making sure students are passing classes and tying up any loose strings for students that were sick,” Robinson said. 

Students understand the hefty amount of work put in by the counselors during this time of year. “Whenever I have emailed my counselor about coming in they have done a great job of making time for me,” senior Matthew Serrano said. 

The relationships with the students are something that makes this time easier for counselors. They are able to make real connections with their students and not just maneuver their schedules behind the scenes. “We look forward to meeting with the kids and getting to hear what’s going on in their day, their week, sports, activities, music, concerts, travel and things like that,” Robinson said.

The first few weeks of the semester are particularly intense. However, the changing of this semester’s schedules quickly transitions into planning for next year. “I got the opportunity to talk to my counselors about what I am taking next year,” freshman Sami Karcz said.  

While underclassmen focus on next year’s schedules, seniors are getting prepared for college or life after high school. “I am already committed to Waynesburg but there was a lot of work done with my counselor to help me get prepared,” Serrano said. 

This is also a big time for juniors and their counselors. Junior year is filled with planning for life after high school and often college. Counselors play an important role in that process and focus on helping juniors as they get closer to senior year and filling out college applications. 

For students, this time of year can cause stress and anxiety. Counselors are there to help them handle those feelings. “They are great people to go to when you need to talk,” Karcz said. 

There is no lack of appreciation for counselors from their students. “They are so important to the school and it really would not run without them,” Serrano said.

Counselor appreciation week was from Feb. 6 – Feb. 10. This serves as a time for students to give thanks to their counselors for all the hard work they do. “Counselor appreciation week is coming up. Appreciate your counselors,” Robinson said a few weeks ago.