While you are a college student, you will have many resources available to support you. These resources are there to help you stay on the right track towards graduation. School counselors also support students by making sure they have the right tools to succeed after graduation. The high school counselor and your college academic advisor are each there for your benefit, but assist in different ways. Here are their similarities and differences:

High School Counselor

Your high school guidance counselor is your resource starting in your freshman year of high school through graduation. Here are just some of the things your guidance counselor can help you with:

• Deciding on a major based on the subjects you excel at and your personal interests
• Filling out your FAFSA form
• Finding information about college scholarships, grants, and awards available to you
• Narrowing down your list of colleges you want to apply to
• Proofreading your college application/essay
• Scheduling/paying for the SAT and ACT
• Writing a letter of recommendation for your college application

You should feel comfortable talking with your guidance counselor about your concerns and fears regarding college. Your guidance counselor are trained to work with you and help you become comfortable with your college decision.

College Advisor

Most colleges require students meet with their academic advisors at least once a semester. Your advisor may be a professor inside your field of study, so they are well versed in what it takes to graduate with your respective degree. Your college advisor will be able to help you with:

• Creating your class schedule(s)
• Picking a minor in your field of study
• Finding an internship during or after college
• Joining appropriate organizations or clubs within your field of study
• Making sure you have enough credit hours each semester
• Writing a letter of recommendation for your professional portfolio

You should obtain your advisor's email address so that you may contact them with any questions. If it is required to meet with your advisor once or twice a semester, make it a point to visit them. Your advisor is a great resource for you throughout your college career and can become a wealth of knowledge as you graduate and enter the job market.

Become proactive in your academic career and take advantage of the resources available to you. Doing so will help make you a successful college student.