{"id":337,"date":"2024-04-27T12:41:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-27T12:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/35.72.163.191\/?p=337"},"modified":"2025-01-28T12:47:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T12:47:20","slug":"5-ways-to-integrate-positive-psychology-in-school-counseling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cialfo.co\/blog\/5-ways-to-integrate-positive-psychology-in-school-counseling","title":{"rendered":"Time-saving tips and tools for counselors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Time management can be the most important skill for counselors. Planning the academic calendar, communicating effectively and reducing repetitive tasks can help them save time. Here are some ways in which counselors can stay on top of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The demands on the time of a college counselor are many and varied, and it can feel like you\u2019re being pulled in numerous directions. There is limited time that a counselor can devote to meeting students and parents, and building relationships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you can take plenty of steps to gain control of your schedule and free up your time, from communicating more efficiently with students to automating repetitive tasks and embracing the time-saving features available on Cialfo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connecting with students: creating a safe space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rather than always having to reach out to students, it\u2019s easier to get them to come to you. The best way to do that is to create a space they want to visit \u2013 somewhere that feels warm, inviting, and safe. Providing them with a big table to sit at, bean bags to relax, along with facilities for refreshments can be surprisingly effective in persuading them to hang out in the counselors\u2019 office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the approach that\u2019s been adopted by Jeff Neill<\/strong>, Director of College Counseling at Graded \u2013 The American School of S\u00e3o Paulo<\/strong> in Brazil, and it\u2019s been a great success, he says. He has taken steps to make the space comfortable for students, from playing Mario Kart with his students occasionally, to throwing away all paper materials in the office to make space for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe kids show up. They identify this as a safe and comfortable space. It has created a palpable difference in terms of the culture surrounding college counseling. Kids come in and ask questions all the time, which is really wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Jeff Neill<\/strong>, Director of College Counseling at Graded \u2013 The American School of S\u00e3o Paulo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He points out that not all students are at their most comfortable in a face-to-face meeting, so he suggests providing alternatives. In particular, meeting such students outdoors and walking with them can lead to a more fruitful interaction than sitting across the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating a master calendar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To be a successful counselor, you need to keep track of endless dates. The most efficient way to do that is to collate all of your meetings, deadlines, and events into a single master calendar, then share it with everyone who needs to see it. This will not only spread useful information but also promote your counseling program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several counselors use their Google Calendar for this. Neill says he prefers to use appointments software Calendly to schedule meetings with students, parents and peers. He asks students to click a link in his email signature and book his time, giving them the choice of 15, 30, and 60-minute meetings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He expects students to set the agenda for the meetings when they book them, setting out what they want to achieve from the discussion; if they fail to do so, he\u2019ll delete their booking and ask them to do it again. Counselors can also use the Meetings<\/strong><\/a> feature on Cialfo to meet students. It is simple to book meetings and even parents can stay updated about the student\u2019s progress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Counselors can put up a \u2018major events\u2019 poster or flyer in their office for best visibility. In addition to scheduling, it\u2019s a good idea to automate as many processes as possible, from transcript requests to teacher recommendations to final college lists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Cialfo helps you to save time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Time management is actually about managing your tasks and optimising efforts. One of the most effective ways to save time as a counselor is to use the numerous enabling features on Cialfo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n