Time management is one of those essential life skills that often gets overlooked—and yet it can make a huge difference in a student’s success both now and in the future. In this episode, we’re continuing our life skills series (listen to part one HERE!) with a focus on helping high schoolers understand and practice effective time management before they graduate. You’ll hear how this skill connects to ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors and why it’s a game-changer for building independence.

I’ll share simple, practical ways to introduce time management through your counseling program, from identifying schedule non-negotiables to exploring planning tools students will actually use. You’ll also get strategies to help students build routines, increase self-awareness, and approach it all with grace and empathy. Be sure to check out the resources below to put these ideas into action!

Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: High School Counselor Kickstart Audio Course
• Resource: Organization Digital Counseling Activity
• Resource: Life After High School Classroom Lesson
• Resource: Transition to College Digital Presentation
• Resource: End of Year High School Counseling Bundle
• Podcast: Episode 166, Life Skills Your Students Should Master [Part 1: Budgeting Basics]
• Podcast: Episode 83, How to Use Needs Assessments Strategically This Year in Your High School Counseling Program
• Resource: ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviews
• Visit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shop
• Send me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook

Imagine if your students graduated not just with academic knowledge, but real-world skills they’ll use every day. Today we’re starting that conversation. I’m kicking off a three-part series that will cover essential life skills that students should master before they leave high school, no matter what their post-secondary plans are.

First up: the basics of budgeting - a skill so many students are missing when they leave high school. I’m sharing why financial literacy matters now more than ever, how you can easily tie it into the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors, and some creative ways to make budgeting relatable (and even a little fun!) for your students. You’ll also hear why understanding their own money mindset is key to setting them up for success.

Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: Student Budgeting Workbook
• Resource: Financial Literacy Bundle
• Resource: ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviews
• Visit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shop
• Send me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorclique
• Send me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.com
• Join the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.com

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode165

When it comes to student mental health, the need is huge, but the budget? Not so much. If you’ve ever looked around your school and thought, “How am I supposed to support these students with so little to work with?”, this episode is for you. I’m sharing five practical, low-cost (or completely free) ways to address mental health needs on your campus.

Whether you’re part of a fully staffed counseling department or flying solo, the truth is, you don’t have to do this alone. These strategies aren’t about adding more to your plate; they’re about giving you tools you can have in your back pocket, so you’re not starting from scratch in the middle of a crisis. Having these tools ready will help you feel more confident and grounded when it matters most!

Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: Grief Bundle
• Resource: Digital Activities Mega Bundle
• Resource: Coping Skills Presentation
• Resource: NAMI
• Resource: Everfi- Mental Wellness Course (free)
• Podcast: Episode 154, How to Set Up a Peer Leader Program in Your School
• Podcast: Episode 119, From Off-Track to Graduation: Counselor Tips for Supporting At-Risk Students
• Podcast: Episode 102, Support Strategies for Meeting Your High School Students’ Mental Health Needs
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviews
• Visit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shop
• Send me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorclique
• Send me an email to lauren@counselorclique.com
• Join the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.com

Full show notes on website:

Substance use in schools isn’t just a “some kids” issue. It’s happening across all kinds of student groups and the trends are changing fast. In this episode, I’m joined by Kriya Lendzion, a therapist, addiction specialist, and powerhouse speaker who is helping us understand what teens are using and what we can actually do about it as school counselors.

We talk about evolving substances like THC and nicotine, the mental health impacts of use, and realistic ways to support students - without needing to be the expert. Kriya shares ideas for prevention programs, conversation starters, and how to make your messaging more effective. You’ll also get tips for working with parents and the wider school community, so you’re not navigating this alone. Grab the resources linked below...you’ll want them!

Resources Mentioned:

• Substance Use Resources
• Free Educator Resources
• Podcast: Episode 112, Solution-Focused School Counseling with Dr. Russell A. Sabella
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviews
• Visit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shop
• Send me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorclique
• Send me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.com
• Join the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.com

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode163

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn 3 powerful tips for interviewing for high school counseling jobs with confidence through this video series: https://counselorclique.com/interviews/

After graduation, students are eager to jump into the next chapter of their lives, but sometimes things fall through the cracks. Summer melt is real, and it can make the transition to the next chapter way harder than it needs to be. In this episode, I’m breaking down what summer melt is, why it happens, and, most importantly, what we can do to help students stay on track. It's all about finding solutions and making sure our students have the support they need when they need it the most!

We’ll talk about the reasons why students sometimes lose momentum after graduation and how that can impact their future plans. I’ll share six main ideas for how school counselors can help transition seniors smoothly into their post-graduation plans. From simple check-ins to providing extra resources, we’ve got a lot of ways to step in and help bridge the gap between graduation and the fall semester. We’ve got this! Let’s make sure your students don’t just drift away over the summer but move confidently into whatever comes next.

Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: Transition to College Presentation
• Resource: Life After High School Classroom Lesson
• Podcast: Episode 140, Highs and Lows of Working with Seniors with Brittany Slagle
• Podcast: Episode 120, Accepting the Reality That Some Seniors Might Not Graduate
• Podcast: Episode 68, 4 Ways to Repurpose Student Pictures to Celebrate Your Seniors
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviews
• Visit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shop
• Send me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorclique
• Send me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.com
• Join the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.com

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode162

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn 3 powerful tips for interviewing for high school counseling jobs with confidence through this video series: https://counselorclique.com/interviews/

What if students could earn college credits, explore the world, and gain invaluable life experience, all before starting their traditional college journey? In this episode, I sit down with Neal Crosson from Verto Education to talk about a unique yet powerful path: first-year study abroad programs.

We dive into how these programs work, who they’re best suited for, and how counselors can support students considering this path. Plus, we tackle key questions around credit transferability, program structure, and what makes a student a great fit for this experience. Let’s expand the conversation around post-high school options, because for the right student, a first-year study abroad could be a game-changer!

Resources Mentioned:

• Verto Education Website
• Podcast: Episode 147, Exploring Gap Year Opportunities for Your Students (or You!) with Julia Rogers
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviews
• Visit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shop
• Send me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorclique
• Send me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.com
• Join the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.com

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode161

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn 3 powerful tips for interviewing for high school counseling jobs with confidence through this video series: https://counselorclique.com/interviews/

Are non-counseling duties taking over your job? If you’re spending more time on testing, paperwork, and hall duty than actually working with students, you’re not alone and it doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode, I dive into the reality of these overwhelming responsibilities and why they can lead to burnout and resentment. But don’t worry, I’m not just here to vent! I’m sharing practical ways to manage these tasks so you can get back to what you do best: supporting your students.

Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: Student Ambassadors Program
• Resource: Beginning of the Year Presentation
• Free Resource: New Counselor Podcast Playlist
• Free Resource: 4-Day High School Counseling Advocacy Email Challenge
• Podcast: Episode 156, Time Management Strategies to Lighten Your Mental Load as a School Counselor with Kaci Ranger
• Podcast: Episode 154, How to Set Up a Peer Leader Program in Your School
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviews
• Visit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shop
• Send me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorclique
• Send me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.com
• Join the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.com

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode160

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn 3 powerful tips for interviewing for high school counseling jobs with confidence through this video series: https://counselorclique.com/interviews/

The college search should be an exciting journey, but for many students, it’s filled with pressure, competition, and anxiety. Too often, students and parents fixate on prestigious schools without considering whether they’re truly the right fit, leading to stress and a loss of self-discovery in the process. Today’s guests, Jen and Jared, school counselors and co-founders of Forget the Rankings, are here to change that! They’re challenging the traditional, prestige-driven mindset and introducing a values-based approach that helps students find colleges that align with their personal goals, priorities, and well-being!

Jen and Jared have developed a powerful tool that encourages meaningful conversations between students and parents about what truly matters in a college experience. By shifting the focus from rankings to values, they’re making the application process less overwhelming and more empowering. In this episode, they share how their approach is not only helping students make better college decisions but also improving their mental health and confidence along the way.

Resources Mentioned:

• Forget the Rankings Resources (values cards and more!)
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviews
• Visit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shop
• Send me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorclique
• Send me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.com
• Join the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.com

Connect with Jared and Jen:

• Instagram: @forget_the_rankings
• LinkedIn
• Website
• Email: jared@forgettherankings.com

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode159

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn 3 powerful tips for interviewing for high school counseling jobs with confidence through this video series: https://counselorclique.com/interviews/