The freshman year school counseling program aims to help each member of the incoming class adjust to high school in general and Regis in particular. It is predicated on the assumption that, if a student who is changing from childhood to adolescence better understands himself and his environment, he will be able to better negotiate the challenges he will confront during this transitional year and in the years ahead.
The program includes both individual and group sessions. Each freshman meets individually with his school counselor several times during the school year. More individual meetings are scheduled by the school counselor or by the student as needed, especially in managing academic, peer, or family and relationship concerns as they may arise. Group sessions occur once a cycle and are conducted by advisement group. These are both informational and discussion-oriented and provide the student with regular opportunities to both share his ideas on topics of interest and to listen open-mindedly to the thoughts and views of his classmates.
During group sessions, school counselors regularly check in with students about how the week is going and give space for mental health and well-being reflections. School counselors encourage mindfulness practices like breathing techniques and positive coping skills that students can adapt to their individual lives and use on a regular basis.
Topics in the freshman year group sessions include the following throughout the year:
