Mental health and resilience

Four types of mindset are created when two different factors interact. And the two factors matter to college counsellors, because they are curiosity and ambition

We might think vulnerability belongs only to the realm of social-emotional counsellors. But vulnerability can enter our work, too – often in unexpected ways

The executive functions are a set of cognitive skills that help us make plans, solve problems, adapt to new situations – and apply to university

Our students have a wide array of futures to choose from – but rejecting some options in favour of others can lead to FOMO: fear of missing out

It can be tempting for students to pursue perfection in the university application process – but aspiring to a non-existent ideal won’t make them happy

Why do some students choose to ignore the evidence in front of them, no matter how incontrovertible? And what can we as counsellors do about it?

The transition from high school to university can be difficult for all students – but is often particularly challenging for those who are neurodivergent

Final-year school exams can shape a student’s academic future. The following strategies will help them perform at their best – even when they’re feeling under pressure

Negative self-talk, a tendency to avoid challenge and difficulty accepting compliments can affect not only a student’s mental health but the university application process as well

Strong negative emotions can appear at every stage of the application process – it‘s helpful for students if we are able to contain these emotions for them

Safety is something that students and parents are considering more and more when choosing a university. Huron University’s Linea Dacosta shares how the university is incorporating student safety into the campus

Counsellors can help students to identify universities that prioritise mental health support and individualised care

Why do students often find the university application process so oppressive? Psychology of the self provides some insight

Understanding that a perfectly Instagram-able life is not real, and that everyone has to choose their priorities, is highly beneficial for students

Intelligent and hardworking students receive the best university offers, which is only fair and right – or is it?

Even well-counselled students will occasionally run into problems at university – and may come back to their high-school counsellor for advice

Our students tend to define success according to external criteria: exam results and university offers. But what if they saw things differently?

The university-application process can invoke panic, distress and anxiety. Cognitive behavioural therapy offers counsellors some tools to help students manage these emotions

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?

We 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

An increasingly important part of the counsellor’s job is guiding students through moments of stress and overwhelm. These techniques may prove useful

You'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?

Students often experience rejection for the first time when applying to university. Teaching them self-compassion can help ease the pain

It 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

For 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

Living away from home in a new country or culture can be exciting – but also daunting. Here’s how to help your students prepare

Moving 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

Counsellors are experiencing mission creep – now, as well as providing university guidance, we’re addressing student well-being, family dynamics, identity development and career decision-making. Often simultaneously

Carrying our students’ emotions home with us can lead to exhaustion and burnout – but this technique can help protect our emotional well-being

Finding your tribe and creating a sense of community around you can help you turn a new location into a place that feels like home

An online integrated tracking and planning system can help counsellors to maintain a comprehensive record of student interactions, progress and goals

It's been a difficult day. You’re tired, there’s so much to do and none of it feels particularly rewarding. How do you find the silver lining that reminds you why you became a counsellor in the first place?

Reading and learning are integral parts of the university counsellor’s job. But how do you cope when there’s so much to read and learn and so little time in which to do it?

It can be easy for neurodivergent counsellors to become overwhelmed – particularly when juggling hundreds of students’ needs. Rachel Doell offers some survival tips

Self-care can feel impossible when it’s application season and you’re working non-stop – but perhaps you just need to adjust your idea of what self-care entails

When emotions run high with university applications, college counsellors need to regulate their own emotional expression. This is emotional labour – and it can take a toll

With university application deadlines in January, it can be difficult to switch off over the winter break – but here are five compelling reasons why we should do it anyway

Your neighbours are having a noisy New Year’s Eve party – but there may be some counselling lessons in their choice of soundtrack

So much to do – so little time in which to do it. Time management can be the university counsellor’s nemesis. But there are ways to ensure you make the most of your time

It is common for new counsellors to not feel up to the job – but there are practical strategies that can help combat impostor syndrome

It is widely acknowleged that therapists, teachers and social workers are particularly prone to burnout – but college counsellors should be included in this list, too

Working with the highs and lows of the university admissions process can be exciting – and exhausting. These tips will help prevent burnout

When war broke out in Khartoum, international school students dispersed around the globe – but their counsellors’ job didn’t end

How 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

Being 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

University counselling is a demanding profession – and not setting proper boundaries can lead to burnout. How can counsellors take care of themselves?

It’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

To 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?