Counseling Corner

• Report Card Night: October 18th at 6 pm.
• The first quarter ends today 10/13 and grades will be available next week. We encourage you to review your student's grades and if needed, have a discussion regarding their plans to finish the semester strong.
• As a reminder, the following academic resources are available:

1. Teacher support: students can sign up with their teacher for their Wednesday tutorials. These are available to students every Wednesday except the first one of the month.
2. Peer tutoring: Brighter Minds is a group of students who offer free tutoring to students during tutorial as well as some alternate times. Students sign up on their website.
3. Additional support: Orange County Public Libraries offer free 24/7 tutoring available here.

• Drug-Free America Week is October 23-31. This month, we want to bring to your attention the concerning statistics regarding vaping among youth in the United States. According to the latest data available from CDC, vaping has become a major health issue among adolescents. A significant number of young people have been drawn into vaping, with more than 3.6 million middle and high school students reporting e-cigarette use in 2020. This alarming trend is associated with serious health risks, including addiction, lung problems, and potential long-term health consequences. As parents, it's crucial to be informed and engage in open conversations with your children about the dangers of vaping. Staying connected and well-informed is key to safeguarding their health and well-being. You can access a free online course here that can teach you more about vaping and the risks associated with it. This is a great opportunity to bring up the topic of vaping with your student and learn together about the dangers associated with using e-cigarettes.

• Red Ribbon Week is 10/23 to 10/27. To raise awareness about substance abuse, students are welcome all week to join in on the fun by participating in our spirit week and by attending our lunch rallies.

• Lunch and Learn Wellness 10/18 – Self-Awareness: Personality Test MBTI – Learn more about stress management by learning more about yourself. This month’s Wellness topic will be discovering your personality as a guide to your future. Student can attend in the Commons during lunch. Your student can sign up here.

• The American Psychology Association has issued guidelines for parents on keeping kids safe while using social media. Check it out here.

• Registration for the spring semester ROP courses will begin next month. Check out the flyer below for more details.
• The Tustin Library is offering a free financial literacy series for anyone 16 years or older. See the flyer below for more information and to register.
• Lastly, Coastline CC is offering a different career info session each month. Use the qr code below to register your student.

CSU & UC Application Tips:

Cal States

• If your child is working on their CSU application and has questions, the Cal State Apply Freshman Guide 2023-2024 is a great place to get their questions answered.
• Take a look at the Top Freshman Application Do's and Don'ts before completing the app.
• If your family has had a significant change in the income you may qualify for an application fee waiver appeal. Fee waiver appeals are handled by the individual CSU campuses. Your students would need to contact each campus(es) they are interested in applying to. Contact information for campuses can be found at: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/Pages/contact-a-campus.aspx

University of California

The UCs recognize this is an unusual year so they have offered these tips when completing their application:

• Apply to multiple UCs. Remember that the fee waiver allows students to apply to up to four UCs for free.
• Research majors at the different campuses, as programs vary, and consider selecting an alternate major.
• Work from unofficial transcripts when completing the Academic History to ensure the accuracy of courses, credits, and grades. If a student has a repeated course, both the original grade and the repeated grade must be included in the application.
• Use the Additional Information section in Academic History to explain any key academic changes, including gaps in education or unique changes in grading systems. UC understands that students have experienced changes in course delivery and grading options during the pandemic. Students can use the additional comments section to explain these academic changes.
• Start working on the Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) early and make sure it’s their own, original work. If students would like to share how they or their family have been impacted directly by the COVID-19 pandemic, UC recommends that they use the “Additional Information” sections on the application rather than the PIQs.
• Consider activities and awards from a broad perspective. Work experience, family responsibilities, online activities, and individual activities will help readers get to know the student. Students should focus on their role, time commitment, and responsibility for activities, and should include information about the selection process for all awards and honors. While students can enter up to 20 items, quality is more important than quantity!
• Apply for all scholarships for which they meet the criteria. There is no limit to the number of scholarships students may select.

Important Information for Seniors Regarding their mytusd.org email

• As you start working on your college applications, it is important that you use your personal email address when completing applications and not your mytusd.org email.
• Once you graduate, the Tustin Unified email address will no longer be available to you. Using a personal email address when applying will allow you to continue to receive communication once you have graduated.

College Application Help

The Beckman Counseling Team will be offering college application (Common App, CSU/UC, or Community College) support in the Career Center on Wednesdays, during tutorials/breaks. Be sure to have students bring their electronic devices!

Tutorial: 10/11, 10/18, 10/25

Student Break: 11/1

12th grade B Prepared

We invite you to join us for the virtual event "2023-2024 12th Grade B Prepared." This presentation contains crucial information that will benefit you and your senior students. You have the flexibility to skip, pause, or rewind the presentation as needed, and you can access the accompanying slide deck here. The presentation video can be viewed through this link.

• 10th & 11th grade B Prepared: We previously sent out our virtual event "2023-2024 10th & 11th Grade B Prepared." This presentation contains crucial information that will benefit you and your students as they navigate 10th and 11th grades. You have the flexibility to skip, pause, or rewind the presentation as needed, and you can access the accompanying slide deck here. The presentation video can be viewed through this link.
• This month's counseling CCR lesson for juniors will include a mini review tour of our postsecondary planning tool, Naviance, including the self-discovery and careers sections along with how to match this to a college major. This will help them work towards their post-secondary plans. Now is the time juniors should really be evaluating themselves and finding a corresponding major and/or formulating their post-secondary plan. During course selection in February/March we’ll extend this process by teaching them about all of their potential post-secondary options. Then in April we’ll go over the BCAP (Beckman College/Career Application Process) and have them start creating their “Colleges I’m Applying To” list.
  

  If you'd like to learn more about college majors to further assist your student, here are the websites that will be provided in the CCR lesson:
  

  https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/explore-careers
  

  https://www.mymajors.com/college-majors/
  

  https://blog.collegeboard.org/the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-a-major
  https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/college-majors

10th & 11th grade B Prepared

We previously sent out our virtual event "2023-2024 10th & 11th Grade B Prepared." This presentation contains crucial information that will benefit you and your students as they navigate 10th and 11th grades. You have the flexibility to skip, pause, or rewind the presentation as needed, and you can access the accompanying slide deck here. The presentation video can be viewed through this link.

Ah, the illustrious sophomore year of high school! You're past the awkwardness of freshman year, but the terrifying thought of college is still a safe distance away. So, what should you focus on during this pivotal time? Well, I'm here to give you some sage advice with a sprinkle of comedy, because let's face it, high school is a bit of a circus.

1. Grades, Grades, Grades: While it may not be the most thrilling subject, keeping your grades up is like the foundation of a grand amusement park. It's not the flashiest ride, but it holds everything together. Remember, colleges like to see a strong academic performance. So, study hard, and if you're struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help. You don't have to go it alone - there's a whole team of academic superheroes (teachers, counselors, tutors, and even that smart kid in your class) ready to save the day.

2. Extracurricular Activities: High school is like a buffet of clubs and activities. Try a little bit of everything, like you're sampling the latest food trend. Join a club, play a sport, or dive into the world of art, music, or drama. These extracurriculars can add some much-needed spice to your high school life. Plus, they'll make you a more well-rounded individual. Who knows, you might even discover a hidden talent. And if not, at least you'll have some hilarious stories to share later in life.

3. Socializing: High school is where friendships and rivalries are forged. It's like being in a never-ending episode of a teen drama series. So, socialize like your high school experience depends on it, because, well, it kind of does. Don't take yourself too seriously; remember, everyone is just as confused as you are. Embrace the weirdness, make friends, and enjoy the journey. You'll laugh about these moments later in life, I promise.

4. Plan for the Future: The future is a scary rollercoaster ride you can't avoid. Start thinking about your goals, aspirations, and what you want to do after high school. Whether you're dreaming of college, a trade school, or taking over the family llama farm, a rough plan will help guide your choices. And don't stress too much; remember that it's okay to change your mind. It's your life, not a contract with a grumpy genie.

5. Self-Care: High school can be a whirlwind, and self-care is your anchor. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat (somewhat) healthy, and find ways to de-stress. It's like staying fueled and hydrated for the obstacle course of life. Find a hobby that makes you happy, whether it's reading, gaming, painting, or analyzing conspiracy theories about your school's cafeteria food. And remember, it's okay to take a break and binge-watch your favorite shows once in a while.

6. Hilarious Mishaps: High school is a goldmine for hilarious stories. Embrace those awkward moments when you call your teacher "mom" or trip and fall in the hallway. These stories will become the comedic gems of your teenage years. Just remember, you're not alone – everyone is living their own teenage sitcom.

In summary, focus on the essential foundations of high school, but don't forget to add some laughter to the mix. You're in the prime of your youth, and it's all about finding that perfect balance between responsibility and fun. Enjoy the ride, and remember that you're the star of your own coming-of-age comedy. So, go out there and make sophomore year legendary!

• During the months of October and November, freshmen will receive a counselor-led lesson on elective pathways, high school graduation requirements, and A-G requirements. After the lesson, freshman will enter their four-year academic plan in Aeries. They will continue to revise this four-year plan each year. The four-year plan is viewable to parents in Aeries under "classes" and "academic plan".
• Parent tip: Be sure to attend Report Card Night on Oct. 18th at 6pm. This is a great opportunity to meet your freshman's teachers and get feedback regarding classroom performance.
• Help your student stay organized! Beckman planners are here and can be purchased at the student store. In addition to keeping a planner, here is a short video on more student planning and organization tips.
• In September Avid 9 students received a lesson on graduation and a-g requirements, colleges, and transcript review. Here is the pre/post data showing what students learned.