This is a sample email that I like to send out to my Seniors at about the half-way point in the school year. Please feel welcome to either borrow ideas from it or make it your own (as in whatever may be most relevant to your students and their needs).

Greetings, Class of 2026 Seniors:

I hope you have had a solid start to the new semester and also a great mid-winter break!

Senior year can be an exciting and busy time—and also a time where Graduation and life after high school start to come into clearer focus for students. Naturally, many Seniors have questions, and so I would love to be a resource for you!

For college, come and see me if you have questions about any of the following:

• Choosing your college or university (including the process for narrowing down your choices and making your final decisions)
• Meeting with your academic advisor (sort of like the college version of me as your high school counselor—i.e., what to ask them; how they can help you, etc.)
• Campus visits (these are Excused absences)—may either be pre-scheduled or self-scheduled campus tours; an Open House (which may include: meeting with faculty from academic programs of interest; checking out the residence halls; meeting with Admissions and Financial Aid professionals; hearing from student panels; checking out the library, recreation center, and campus book-store; and sampling the culinary options on campus); or Future_________(insert the school nickname) Day (where admitted students can meet other admitted students and experience a full-slated agenda—including many of the aforementioned things above)
• FAFSA completion; Michigan Achievement Scholarship; Community College Guarantee (free college opportunity!); financial aid (i.e., scholarships; loans; work studies; and grants), or any other questions about paying for college
• How to secure your seat at your chosen institution (i.e., completing Intent to Enroll forms and paying enrollment deposits—if applicable)
• Completing college orientation (orientations often start in the early months of the calendar year)
• Selecting courses for college and securing housing—if you are living on campus—don’t be late with this, as the most-popular student-housing options may fill quickly
• Questions about what being a college student—or what college-life—is like

*As a First-Generation college graduate (with no immediate family members that held a bachelor’s degree and very few family members with any sort of college education), I know what it’s like to have a lot of questions about college. I started off at a community college for two years—where I earned my associate’s degree—then transferred to a four-year university to complete both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Simply put, a college education—for me—was life-changing in a number of great ways. I can help you.

For life after high school, come see me if you have questions—or want to know more—about any of the following additional options and components of post-high-school-living:

• Jobs and careers
• Volunteer opportunities
• Internships
• Study Abroad opportunities (while in college)
• Gap years
• Working and going to college at the same time
• Vocational training opportunities and programs
• Military options
• Housing information for college or independent living after high school
• Financial budgeting and literacy—i.e., planning and/or paying for things
• Navigating early adulthood—i.e., where to go for help; things to think about/consider; or general questions you might have
• Holistically investing in yourself; promoting your own happiness; and identifying your interests, passions, goals, and dreams, etc.

Stop by, Seniors, if you want to talk more about any of these things. You can always make an appointment with me during a particular hour in the school day or by stopping by during passing-time; before/after school; or during lunch. I will make time for you. 

Don’t be shy—stop by!

Proud to be your school counselor,

—Mr. K.