4 minute read
Preparing for Success After Bangkok Patana
By Kevin Keller, Head of Careers and University Counselling
When students think about university counsellors and the work that we do, their minds immediately jump to scouring university websites, attending endless virtual sessions with university representatives, picking apart personal statements and submitting important documents. While this is the case for much of our work with students in Year 13, I’m often careful to remind them that our role is much more than that. From the early years of Secondary School, all the way through to graduation day, our Careers and Universities Counselling faculty is actively engaged with students to holistically prepare them for success and meet their goals in higher education.
Beginning in Year 7 and throughout their time in Secondary School, students hear from university counsellors on topics stemming from personal values, life as an adult, career choices and, of course, university selection. It is important for students to understand that there is a distinct link between their selfawareness, personally and academically, and their future happiness and success. We encourage students to start thinking about what makes them happy, what skills help them achieve success and in which types of environments do they thrive.
Choosing a career is a daunting process. Many of our students are challenged by the idea of choosing something to do for the rest of their lives. At many points during their time at Bangkok Patana, we invite guest speakers and others to discuss the non-linear paths to career success, reinforcing the idea that life is not linear; there are twists and turns along the way that make the journey more interesting and help us learn more about ourselves. As we know, life after school, or as it is more commonly known “adulting,” can be equally challenging and rewarding. Building critical thinking skills that guide a thoughtful decision-making process is an important part navigating this exciting journey. Work with Key Stage 3 students centres on preparing them for a life of work by linking goal setting, priorities and personal finance skills. Of course, all of this leads to our work supporting university applications in later years.
We are so lucky to be a part of a community that nurtures our students personally and academically. Of course, university environments can be drastically different and serve as real challenges for our students as they transition into adulthood. As university counsellors, we help our students through what sometimes is the first realisation of the wider world and the trials and tribulations that may appear on their road to success. While most of our students achieve fantastic university admission results, many are faced with life’s first denials. Applying to the most selective global universities in competition with the world’s ablest students can be a thrilling but sometimes disappointing process and I am acutely aware of the word “counsellor” in my title during
these difficult conversations. Through our work, we help students cope with their feelings and help them realise that while the path may not be as they envisioned, there is greatness still to come. University counselling may not be taught in a classroom but we encourage critical thinking in their responses, instil resilience, encourage determination, and assertiveness to self-advocate when necessary. Universities expect their new students to be prepared for new surroundings, with skills of interacting with increasingly diverse populations and the humility to actively learn through thoughtful debate. The Careers and University Counselling team at Bangkok Patana provide detailed guidance based on decades of experience in university admissions as well as the support necessary to build the skills crucial to success.
The rollercoaster of life requires focusing on personal skills – assertiveness, resilience, critical thinking – and regularly putting them to use. Skills are like muscles and should be “worked out” regularly. As teachers and counsellors, we can support reasonable risk-taking and creating an environment where students feel comfortable making mistakes. As parents, we can support our children through guiding them along a path instead of clearing a path through life. Universities and employers are looking for independent, confident, and innovative young people and while some may find these skills come naturally, others find that they need to be developed.
Yes, the university counselling process culminates in the very exciting process of applying to universities, but it is the result of months and years of thoughtful preparation and self-assessment. Starting the process of thoughtful goal setting early on in Secondary School encourages students to be aware of and understand the influence of the present on their future. The big goals of our students require a “big picture” approach and our Careers and Universities team will be there to remind them every step of the way.
