Jotting it all down: Forms, Documentation, and Organization in School Counseling

Hello Counselors!!

It's been awhile since I've blogged! Things have been busy and I'm so glad to get back on here today!! Another thing that I am learning throughout my internship is finding a system for "Jotting it all down". Keeping track, documenting, and organizing are important parts of the job, and I've been working to find a system that works for me. I would also like to share some of the things that have worked for me:

1. Having a central place for everything: Structure is important for me, and when I had multiple folders for similar things, it started to get a bit overwhelming. Whether its an accordion file, file folders, binder, use what works for you!! I use a combination of file folders and a binder. Binders are extremely helpful for organization, and a great way to keep all of my counseling stuff organized, and everything stays in one place :) I typically use my file folders for keeping track of materials that need to be submitted such as applications, bulletin board materials, etc.

2. Clipboard and Forms: My clipboard is great for jotting down notes and keeping track on my logs!! When the logs are complete, I keep them in the "counseling logs" section of my binder! The forms and notes pages on my clipboard help remind me of what currently needs to be done. I purchased mine at Target for $4.00. I've also seen some cute personalized clipboards on Etsy that I have my eye on :) I always keep a pen clipped onto my clipboard for easy access!

3. Scrap Paper is your friend: Scrap paper is great way to jot down a quick note. I keep an envelope on my clipboard where I can keep my scrap paper reminders. Feel free to use old worksheets, cut them in 4's, and reuse the blank back pages for jotting down notes! Also, if you keep a file for each student, it can also be great for jotting down notes for your file.

4. Google Docs: I got introduced to google docs this year, and I love it :) I've began using it to create and email forms. For example, I created a classroom guidance survey for teachers on when to visit classrooms, specific topics, etc. The forms you create can also be emailed or used as a hard copy. You can also use it for documentation, and The Stylish School Counselor has a great post on google drive documentation that you can check out  by clicking HERE.


If you're a form-person (like me!) I have a few items in my TeachersPayTeachers Store that you can check out:

This message log is great for keeping track of messages from parents, teachers, and other staff members and documentation date & time of when the call was returned. You can download this item in my TpT store for FREE. Click HERE to download!!

This communication log is perfect for contacts and keeping track of conversations during our school day. There is space for name, date, notes, and if a follow up is needed.You can click HERE to download :)

My School Counselor Organization Pack and Planner Pack have been helpful to me also. I created this product because it really suits my needs, and I hope you find them useful too! 

You can purchase these for $2.50 each, and the School Counselor Planner Pack has been revised and now includes a BONUS Monday-Friday 2015-2016 calendar!! The School Counselor Organization Pack is available in many colors: You can click on the colors below to check it out in my TpT store:

Turquoise and Orange
Black and White
Pink and Green
Purple and Yellow


I hope that you found this post useful!!

How do you stay organized in the world of school counseling? Feel free to comment below, post on my facebook page/facebook message, or email at cheerfulcounseling@yahoo.com!! I would love to hear from you!!

~Nicole

Toolkit for Helping Academically At-Risk Students

Happy November!!

I hope that the school year is going well for everyone :) I woke up this morning in the mood to share some counseling ideas today!

For today's post, I will be discussing different tips & resources to have in your toolkit for academically at-risk students, These resources and ideas can be helpful in helping these students succeed and reach their goals!

Tool for tracking student progress: This has been very helpful for us at our school. At my internship site, we have a progress tracker binder for each grade level. We keep the students in alphabetical order by last name by using A-Z divider tabs. You can purchase these at walmart or any office supply store! I created a progress tracking sheet to track the students that I meet with, On this sheet, I write down their grades for the midterm period, help needed & topics discussed during meetings, progress notes, and their final grades for the quarter. This is a great way for me to document the progress of students, and track their progress throughout the school year. Also, it is a great way to make use of data in our work with students!

You can download my Student Progress Sheet Freebie by clicking HERE. If a student sets a goal for themselves, I typically place it at the top of this sheet!

Realistic Goal Setting: The S.M.A.R.T, goals method is my absolute favorite, and helping students to set goals can be very beneficial to their overall success in school. By looking at their current grades, you can help the student to formulate a realistic goal on what they hope to achieve. These goals can either be short term or long term. The student can set a goal for the end of the school year, or for the end of the grading period. The goal(s) set by the student can also be documented in the progress tracker binder. I find it beneficial for students to take part in the goal setting process and helping them work towards their goal.

I found this excellent resources on Edutopia for setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals with students that you can read by clicking HERE.

Useful Tips & Tricks: Providing the student with useful tips & tricks can also be beneficial to their academic success. For example, if a number of students are struggling with homework completion, prioritizing, and organization, doing a classroom lesson or small group can help to address these issues with students and provide help!

The three C's: Consultation, Collaboration, and Communication: The three c's are essential! Communicating, consulting and collaborating with teachers and other staff can allow you to combine various skills to reach a common goal. The teachers in particular can provide you with information on students, and the specfic areas where these students may struggle. The three c's are a great resource and can help you in reaching goals with students.

Unique Inteventions: It is also important to make sure the interventions can services provided fit the needs of the student. Each student is unique, and different interventions can be set in place for assistance in school success and acheiving their academic goals. This is also where collaboration with teachers can come into play,

Highlighting their Strengths & Skills: While working to help students with their weaknesses, strengths are also important. When students are aware of the areas where they excel, it can serve as a confidence booster. Strengths and skills can be applied in the classroom setting in an attempt to help them improve their grades and form a better attitude towards school.

I hope that you find this post useful! :) I've got some great blogging ideas coming up for November...so stay tuned!

What resources/ideas do you have for students academically at-risk? Have you ran any small groups for these students? Feel free to comment below, I would love to hear them!

Take care,

~Nicole

Going for the G.O.A.L!

Hello counselors,

Today I've decided to do a blog post on goal setting from a school counseling perspective! In my graduate classes and at my internship, I am learning the importance of setting goals and providing direction for your program. Since I love acronyms so much, I came up with one on creating goals for your school, your school counseling program, and yourself! I will explain each one and detail, and I'll also include some resources that I love and use again and again! This acronym is great for setting goals as an intern or a practicing School Counselor!

Gather Your Data:     

In the school counseling world, the "D" word is used often, and for a good reason. Backing up your goals with data is a great place to get started. By looking at the numbers from the previous year, or current trends, you can look at ways on how to improve! Also, this serves as a jumping point for creating your goals and making them meaningful to fit the needs of your school :)

Organize your goals using a method: 

Using a method is key, and my personal favorite is the S.M.A.R.T goals method! This acronym stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely!  Again, I sure do love acronyms, and this one is great! It allows you to be able to set a specific goal and make it something that you can measure and place a time frame on as well! You can click HERE to find a great resource on smart goals!

Ask Yourself: How will this benefit me, my students, and my school? 

As we all know, our students are the heart of the school, and they are the reason for all that we do! In creating our goals, keep in mind how will this benefit our students, our program, and the school as a whole! This can also apply when setting personal work goals for yourself, and how this can benefit both you, the staff & student body as well! By asking yourself this question, you are creating goals that are in the best interest of the school and students!

Link up & Collaborate with others! 

Take a minute to think about who is on your side, and who can help in your efforts to accomplish these goals. Also, keeping in mind what resources you have in your school to work towards implementing programs and working towards achieving your goals :) I feel that collaboration and building relationships in the school and community is essential in a school counseling program, and in helping both schools and students achieve goals!

I also recommend the book, The Use of Data in School Counseling: Hatching Results for Students, Programs, and the Profession by Trish Hatch. You can click on the title to order on amazon!

Also, I am currently reading School Counselor Accountability: A MEASURE of Student Success for one of my classes and I'm loving it :) This one will serve as a great reference book in the future for planning and measuring goals to ensure the success of all students!


Both books are great and relatively inexpensive! I recommend them both! I hope that you have enjoyed this blog post! One book that I have on my wish list is Making Data Work by Carol Kaffenberger!



What goals do you have set for the school year? Do you have any resources that you recommend? Is there anything that you would like to share on goal setting?
Feel free to comment below!


Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)

~Nicole