Counseling Corner: Willowbrook Counseling Department offers areas of focus for students during Winter Break

As the first semester of the 2021-22 school year comes to an end, the Willowbrook Counseling Department recommends the following areas in which students should focus during Winter Break.

Freshmen:

• Research career and activity areas of interest.
  
  
• Research courses for sophomore year.

Sophomores:

• Research careers of interest by using Naviance (https://student.naviance.com/willowbrook) and by visiting the Occupational Outlook Handbook (https://www.bls.gov/ooh).
  
  
• Begin thinking about which courses you would like to take junior year based on your college and career plans, as well as graduation requirements you still need to complete.

Juniors:

• Continue to use Naviance (https://student.naviance.com/willowbrook), and add colleges to your list of “Colleges I’m Thinking About.”
  
  
• Review the Next Step Booklet for your college and career planning: https://dupage88.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=45135326.
  
  
• Begin thinking about which courses you would like to take senior year based on your college and career plans, as well as graduation requirements you still need to complete.
  
  
• Begin creating your résumé in Naviance.
  
  
• Continue preparing for the SAT exam in April by practicing on Khan Academy (https://dupage88.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=31244012) or the College Board website (https://www.collegeboard.org).
  
  
• Visit colleges to get an idea of what you like and don’t like on a college campus. Also, visit their websites to learn more about their requirements, campus life, majors, activities and more.

Seniors:

• Review your college admission portals to see your application decision, view any next steps and check whether any information is being requested for submission.
  
  
• If you haven’t completed your 2022-23 FAFSA (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa), please complete it during Winter Break.
  
  
• Continue searching and applying for scholarships. Visit college websites, as well as our Scholarship Google Classroom.

All students:

• Continue to explore clubs/activities and athletics to get involved during second semester.
  
  
• Set personal and academic goals for second semester.
  
  
• Rest, enjoy time with family and friends, and be safe.