College Readiness for Middle Schoolers: Planting the Seed for Future Success

Remember middle school? One minute you’re picking out the best outfit to impress your peers, and the next minute, you’re planning your future career. As a school counselor, helping students plan their future is an essential aspect of our job, even at this young age. We are tasked with getting them ready for college, even though it may still feel like a lifetime away. In this blog post, I discuss the importance of college readiness for middle schoolers and how as school counselors we play a critical role in helping our students prepare for the future.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only about half of high school graduates enroll in a four-year college. While we know that not every student will choose to pursue college, as school counselors, it is our responsibility to help students plan for their future as if they will. By doing so, we give them the opportunity to make informed decisions about their future, regardless of what actually happens down the line.

One way to prepare elementary students and middle schoolers for college is through low pressure conversations. One of my favorite lines is, “Tell me what you know about college.” Even though college might seem far away, planting the seed by having early conversations and lessons with our students can go a long way in preparing them. By asking them what they know about college, we get a sense of their current knowledge and can address any misconceptions they may have. Let’s call it a conversational KWL chart.

Eventually, our high school counseling partners will offer workshops for students and their parents to provide them with knowledge and resources about the college application process. These workshops will cover topics such as financial aid, college majors, and college admissions requirements. By planting seeds through conversations and lessons, we’re arming our students with the tools and information they need once those workshops, college tours, and other college prep processes begin.

Furthermore, we should encourage our students to participate in extracurricular activities that will prepare them for college while also providing them with enjoyment. This could mean participating in sports, clubs, or volunteer work. Participation in these activities will help our students develop important skills, such as time management and leadership, that will be useful in college and beyond. Another favorite tagline of mine is, “This isn’t just a lesson for you to get through 6th grade. Sweetheart, this is a lesson you will need for life.” I like to tell my students this in conversations about ALL things middle school. It tends to make them perk up and listen more closely.

Beyond the conversations, you might be wondering exactly how you can do this work when your schedule is jammed packed with lessons, groups, 504 planning, meetings, lunch and recess duties, and MORE. If so, check out these resources from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

You’ll find ready-made classroom lessons and activities. I created all of these with busy counselors and teachers in mind. The lesson plans are ASCA aligned and scripted to make your life easier. Best of all, they are low or NO prep.

I believe that it is never too early to start preparing our middle schoolers for college. By discussing college early and often, providing them with resources and opportunities, and exposing them to scholarship opportunities, we can ensure their readiness for post-secondary education. It is our responsibility as school counselors to prepare our students for their future, whether they choose to pursue college or not. Remember, we are planting a seed for their future success.

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