President’s Letter: Staying Strong – Energy and Advocacy Through Spring

Spring is a busy season for school counselors. Between finalizing college/career plans, helping students navigate end-of-year stress and planning for next school year, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. The finish line is in sight, but getting there while staying energized and keeping your advocacy strong can be challenging.
 
Here are some ways to stay motivated, protect your energy and continue being the advocate your students need.
 

Reconnect With Your Purpose 

This time of year, it’s easy to get bogged down in checklists, emails and last-minute student crises. But take a step back – why did you become a school counselor?
 
Maybe it was to ensure students feel seen and heard. Maybe it was to help first-generation college students break barriers. Maybe it was because you wanted to be the support system you wish you had growing up.
 
Take a moment to reflect on the wins. Think about the student who opened up about their struggles. The senior who is proudly wearing their acceptance hoodie. The student who learned how to self-advocate. When the workload gets overwhelming, these successes can help remind you why your role is so important.
 

Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-Care 

Burnout is real, especially in the final stretch of the school year. Protect your energy by:

• Setting work boundaries.
• Taking breathers – even five-minute breaks!
• Finding small joys, maybe a podcast on the way to work or coffee before the school day starts. These moments matter

Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish – it’s necessary.
 

Advocacy at the Forefront 

Advocacy doesn’t have to be a massive initiative. It happens in everyday moments. That might mean:

• Establishing that students have access to mental health resources before summer.
• Ensuring underserved students aren’t left behind in the college or career process.
• Educating staff on the role of the school counselor.

Consistent advocacy efforts create change. There’s power in speaking up – whether in a faculty meeting, a one-on-one conversation or even an email to leadership.
 

Let Students Take the Lead 

As seniors prepare for graduation and younger students transition into new grades, it’s tempting to step in and do everything for them, but that’s not the goal.
 
Focus on teaching students:

• to self-advocate
• to build time-management and coping skills.
• ways to be independent

It’s hard to let go, but it’s also one of the most valuable lessons you can give them.
 

Finish Strong – Without Overloading Yourself

June will be here before you know it, but it’s not a sprint to the finish line.
 
Prioritize. What absolutely has to get done, and what can wait? Some things are non-negotiable but not everything is urgent.
 
And most important: Celebrate the wins. You’ve worked hard all year. Your students are better because of you. That deserves recognition.
 

Final Thought 

The end of the school year is exhausting, but it’s also a time to reflect on the impact you’ve made. Stay strong, advocate fiercely, and finish the year knowing you’ve made a real difference.
 
Contact Jennifer Correnti, NJSCA president, at jcorrenti10@gmail.com.