By Paisley Nieman
Elwood Guidance Counselor Kilah Oaklund stays busy helping students be successful. She recently shared some things students should be thinking about this time of year.
According to Oaklund, the main things seniors should be thinking about right now are college visits and narrowing down their college choices.
“Seniors should also be gathering information because FAFSA opens on December 1,” she said. Oaklund hosted a financial Aid Night in September, where seniors and parents could learn more about the FAFSA and financial aid process. Seniors should also be getting started on scholarship components such as personal statements and resumes.
“As for juniors they should also be considering college visits, as well as preACT in October, and the ACT is in March,” said Oaklund. Sophomores attended a career exploration day called Connect the Dots in October. Oaklund said that other high school students should focus on getting good grades and maintaining as high of a GPA as possible because that is the biggest factor considered by colleges in awarding scholarships.
On the elementary side of the building, Oaklund teaches Social and Emotional Learning weekly to kindergarten through sixth graders. Her days are busy and her tasks are varied.
“No two days are the same In the school counseling world!” she said.