Counselor’s Corner – October 25, 2019

Using Mindfulness in the College Application Process

I presented on this topic at the recent CIS/EARCOS Conference on College Admissions in Bangkok an am using this model at BIS to help students stay calm, focused, and balanced as they plan, prepare for, and ultimately apply to and select a university program.  I have designed a mindfulness activity to match each of the classes in BridgeU that help students move through this process, starting in grade 9. Each term each grade level has a college counseling class period dedicated to completing a portion of the application process in BridgeU – identifying strengths, choosing a major, researching careers, creating a university list, writing essays, and requesting letters of recommendation from Teachers.

Students are asked to come into their mindful bodies- calm, still, and quiet, eyes closed or lowered,  and focus on various aspects of their future plans. After each mindfulness activity, students complete a task in BridgeU connected to that activity, culminating in a well thought-out plan for university admission in grade 12.

Our current grade 12 students are right in the middle of this process, with lists being created or finalized, applications going out, and offers coming in. Best wishes to our seniors for a successful and relatively stress free admissions cycle this year!

Save the Date – Parent Info. Session Nov. 4TH (Target Audience 6-12)

On Monday Nov. 4th I will give a Parent Info Session on Mental Health- Signs and Symptoms, How to Support your Teen, and Where to Get Help. Please join me for an informative talk with some helpful takeaways- 8-9AM in the Library.