The Lexington High School student body is no stranger to counselor seminar. At the beginning of the year, incoming freshmen attend their first meetings with counselors while sophomores and upperclassmen usher in another year with upcoming seminars. What really goes on at these so-called “seminars”? Are the meetings genuinely helpful, or do they need restructuring? While counselor seminar may be beneficial for freshmen, the current system is counter-intuitive and needs to be changed.
The purpose of counselor seminar is quite simple: these support blocks are tailored to helping students in all aspects of their high school experience, and serve as an introduction to the LHS environment and community.
Students meet in small groups with their counselor and learn about ways to manage themselves as high schoolers. While its purpose is widely known, counselor seminar faces criticism for its lack of productivity and a valuable end-result.
“Counselor seminar feels like a waste of time. The way counselor seminar is structured doesn’t really achieve its purpose, at least for sophomores. When I’m attending these blocks, it doesn’t feel like I’m getting much out of it, and honestly, I think we should get rid of them,” Noah Wilds, a sophomore, said.
Most sophomores, barring a few exceptions, do not necessarily need what counselor seminar offers: an introduction to LHS. In their freshman year, students become acclimated to the school and its environment. Returning to LHS as a well-seasoned student in sophomore year eliminates the main benefit that counselor seminar brings, making it a nuisance.
The usual study blocks built into an underclassman’s schedule are replaced by counselor seminars which most sophomores do not need. Studies help facilitate students’ learning and provide an escape from their daily academics. Multiple students agree that free time is more valuable than a counselor seminar block will be, given the workload at LHS.
“I had counselor seminar right before an AP Biology test, and having a study instead would have been really helpful. For freshmen, it makes sense, as they need an introduction to the school, but for us I don’t really see a point,” Daniel Borisevich, a sophomore at LHS, said.
Dedicating a shorter block in the schedule, or even combining counselor seminar with advisory, would allow students to keep their studies while allowing other students to receive the support they need.
Supporting students is important, which is why counselor seminar needs to continue at LHS. However, for most sophomores, juniors, and seniors, counselor seminar does not need to take up as much time as it currently does. While solutions are not currently being discussed, it is important that students work together with the counseling department to find a way to maximize the benefits of counselor seminar.
