What's the best way to become a High School Guidance Counselor? Please share lessons-learned if you're one.
344633
I looked into this.  In California, you have to get a Master's in Educational Counseling.  Though it is not manditory, most schools also want you to have a teaching credential and at least a couple of years of classroom experience.
938269
When I went to college studying math education, I minored in psychology.  Then I did graduate work in Guidance.  My first teaching job was in a very small high school were I taught math and also served as a counselor.  I quickly realized that I was not mature enough to be a counselor and that teaching math was the career for me.   I have had several opportunities to return to counseling, but I couldn't see leaving the math classroom.\n     The point is, these two jobs require radically different personalities and skills in working with students.  I would hope that things like amount of homework to be graded would not influence such an important decision.  \n      What should  you really consider?  Do you love your chosen subject?  Are you comfortable in front of a class?  How do you feel about the administrative responsiblities that are associated with the guidance position?  Do you have special skills that make you successful in working one on one with students who are experiencing problems?  These are the kinds of questions that you should consider when making  these life changing decisions.
979902
Because counselors wear so many hats these days, I seriously doubt that any public school can do without them.  That position has drastically changed over the course of the past few years.  Now, the counselor does very little of that.  Most of the time, he/she is responsible for BBSST stuff and scheduling.  They're also responsible for finding scholarships and helping kids make the academic transitions from grade to grade.  I honestly can't imagine a school operating without a counselor.
825041
you should be able to access the high school curriculum from your l.e.a. (local education authority)...work from this and you can't go wrong....hope this helps
1093108
High School take all the after school tutoring they offer, talk to your teachers, your counselors, you might graduate a year later, but it will be worth it. \n\nFrom what I have seen, the GED is actually harder than H.S. alone, I feel only the truly driven obtain their GED's to further there education. It is not a small feat in any respect.
158619
If you wrote your question and comments yourself, I'd say you have some pretty good skills!  You sound as if you are able to put some serious thought into this and able to consider what might be the best thing to do.  If you have not already done so, have a serious discussion about this with your parents and your guidance counselor if your school has one.\n\nYou have to take control of your own destiny.  You still have some time to work on skills.  Check out the possibilities of getting some tutoring.  Many communities have options for free tutoring through volunteers.  Your high school may have a program where students tutor other students.  If not, maybe this can be your opportunity to see if you can get one started.  Does your high school offer an option where you could take an extra year to complete high school?  This is an excellent option for many students.  Also, I bellieve there are study guides available for those tests?  Get a study guide and start working on it.  Get help with it, and see what happens.\n\nI would suggest you try to really figure out what it is you want to do in college.  Based upon your level of ability, and if you truly "test just high enough to exit special education" then you have to figure out if your first choice is a reasonable option for you.  If your first choice turns out to not be a reasonable option (as happens with lots of students), then see if there is some related field or career that would be of interest to you that is a reasonable choice. Remember that today people change jobs frequently, often try many things before they get to the one that is best for them.  Keep your mind and options open.\n\nI would suggest you not permit yourself to put energy into feeling deprived or blaming anyone.  The past happened, and is past - it can't come back.  Take control of your life and begin to work toward what you want.  That's where you need to put your energy.  Make the most of each day and move forward in samll steps.  Face life and your future positively and assertively.  \n\nThe past is history, tomorrow's a mystery.  Today is a gift - that's why we call it the present.  Do and be your best today.  Work toward your goals.  Tomorrow will come, and if you do your best today, tomorrow will take care of itself.\n\nGood luck with the days ahead.  I wish you all the best in you future.
718071
Yes there are schools that offer a high school diploma through online courses. Make sure that they are regionally accredited. National accredidation is often not accepted by colleges if you're looking to go that far.
998978
You've got to stop reading the newspapers, toss out your Tv and radio. Those are media that can be trusted about as well as Yahoo Answers.\nIf you want some carrier guidance, talk to your high school counselor.\n\nOr, am I just dumb and you made this up for a chat subject?
268471
ask your school counselor
338274
The quick answer is to study more for your tests and go to your teacher with any problems or misunderstandings you have. All high school teachers want their students to go to college and be successful. Talk to your counselor about your problems and have them set you up with a tutor.
748552
Do it yourself. Don't make excuses. Just do it. Find a way to succeed. That might actually be better because you won't have to try to fit in another person's opinions into how you become successful.\n\nIf you really do need help, or advice, or just need someone older to listen to your ideas/plans to make sure it will help you become successful in terms of what the "outside world" wants, try to change your counselor if you can. Most high schools/middle schools will allow that if you can provide a good reason why you don't appreciate your current counselor, and it can be as basic as not feeling comfortable talking to the person because of personality or value differences.\n\nIf that's not possible, go to a favorite teacher. That's one of the things teachers are supposed to cover -- career advice. At least, that's true in most schools. Teachers aren't just there to help you understand their respective subject, they're there to help you understand life. I've taken advantage of that, and it's helped me more than anything in terms of how I live my life personally and academically.
1084154
Check out Accelerated Christian Education, or ACE.  Their curriculum is designed for the student to work at their own pace.  I graduated from high school as a homeschooler and loved it.  Actually finished a year early and got a free ride to college!  Definitely check it out.
24432
Ask south pasadena high school - go to your guidance counselor or administration.
584124
If you have the opportunity to get a true high school diploma, I would suggest that 1st.  it is usually looked upon in a much better light.  however if it is not an option, a G.E.D. is definitely better than nothing.
35657
I loved going to college.  It was truly the best time of my life and would love to do it again one day to get another degree.  School can be a lot of fun if you make it that way.  In high school, I really wish I would have applied myself more.  Yeah, school is hard but it is worth it when you get older.  If there was a way that adults could take high school over again, I would sign up in a minute.  I would take all the classes that would better prepare me for things and apply myself more.
396316
Go to college and see the school counselor that can help you take all the right courses to get the credentials you need.
48356
It's sad to see girls who put getting a boyfriend up there in such high an importance as school work.\n\nIf I were you, I would take a hard look at what you want out of life.  High school is an important foundation for building on a career.  What do you want to do in life, what are you good at, and what do you like?\n\nWhat courses are you having problems with, and how can you improve them?\n\nI did not have a boyfriend in High School.  I liked math and science, and focused on these type of subjects.  I took electrical engineering in University.\n\nIt was hard, it was lonely but my family helped me through it.  I got a job and moved away.  When I got to my new city, I mixed in singles groups.  I met a guy, we dated for 2 years, got married.  I'm now 40, I have a son, and we've been married for 13 years.  I have a rewarding job, making good money, and I am happy.  But most of all, I am PROUD of myself.  \n\nI've been happy for 15 years with the same guy, and that's almost twice as long as the 8 years I went to High School and University.  Who knows what my life would have been if I chased young immature stupid boys in High School?  My man is also an engineer, and is just as intelligent as I am.