Your school counselor is one of the most underused resources in high school. Most students only visit when they have a crisis or a required meeting — but students who build a relationship with their counselor early tend to have a smoother high school experience overall. Here’s how to make that relationship work for you.

What Does a School Counselor Actually Do?

School counselors help with academics (scheduling, course selection, credits, graduation requirements), college planning (application guidance, writing recommendations, understanding financial aid), and personal/social support (when you’re struggling emotionally, dealing with conflict, or navigating a difficult situation). They’re trained professionals whose job is to help you succeed — academically and personally.

When Should You See Your Counselor?

There are two categories: scheduled check-ins, and urgent needs. For scheduled check-ins, consider meeting your counselor at the start of freshman year to introduce yourself, before course selection each year, and in junior year to start college planning conversations. For urgent needs, go when you’re struggling with a class and don’t know what to do, when you’re dealing with a conflict or personal issue that’s affecting your school performance, or when something changes in your life that might affect your academics.

How to Make the Most of a Meeting

Come prepared. Know what you want to ask or discuss before you walk in. Write it down if you need to. Counselors often have limited time per student, so being clear and direct about what you need makes the meeting far more useful. If you don’t understand something they tell you, ask them to clarify.

Don’t Wait Until Junior Year to Start

Many students first seriously engage with their counselor in junior year when college applications become pressing. That’s fine — but counselors who already know you can write stronger recommendation letters and give more personalized advice. Even one or two visits in 9th and 10th grade establishes a connection that pays dividends later.

Your counselor is on your side. Let them help you.