Counseling Corner

Welcome to the Counseling Corner!

New for 2026, the Farmington School Counseling office is thrilled to launch our official School Counseling Office Blog, “The Counseling Corner”—a dedicated space for students, parents, and educators to find support, resources, and insights related to all things School Counseling!

Our mission as school counselors is to support the whole student, acting as a bridge between a student's personal well-being and their academic success. While much of our work happens behind office doors or in classroom workshops, we intend to bring helpful conversations directly to your screen. Whether you are navigating the stress of the college search, college applications, looking for ways to support your child’s emotional growth, or simply seeking a little motivation, this blog is for you.

What to Expect in Future Entries

In the coming months, we will dive deep into the topics that matter most to our school community. Here is a sneak peek at some of what we have planned:

Academic Success & Study Skills: We’ll share strategies for time management, overcoming procrastination, and finding a study routine that works for you.
College and Career Readiness: From demystifying the college application process to exploring "best-fit" career paths, we’ll provide information to guide your journey after graduation.
Mental Health & Wellness: High School can be stressful, so look for tips on managing anxiety, building resilience, and practicing mindfulness. We believe that mental health is just as important as physical health.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): We will explore how to build healthy relationships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and develop strong communication skills.
Parenting Partners: Dedicated posts for parents on how to support their teens through the unique challenges of the high school years.

Your journey through school isn't just about grades; it’s about discovering who you are and who you want to become. Our passion is to help you explore this.

We are so glad you’re here, and we can’t wait to get started! We invite you to check back often, share these posts with friends, and reach out if there is a specific topic you’d love to see us cover.

Always in Your Corner,

FHS School Counselors

Semester Two: Let’s make it your best yet!

Welcome to the second half of the 25-26 School Year! The start of the second semester offers unique opportunities for each of you. For some, it will be a fresh slate—a chance to leave behind the stress of the fall. For others, you are going to work to maintain the momentum you built over the first half of the year. Whatever your situation, this "midpoint" can often be where the real magic happens.

Ready to get started? Here are four quick tips you can implement this week to hit the ground running in the second half of the year:

1. First Semester Review

Before you dive into new classes or get started on new assignments, take 10 minutes to look back at your first-semester grades. Don't focus on the specifics (the letters or the numbers), but look for the patterns:

Where did you lose points? Did you complete all your formative work in preparation for your summative assessment?
What felt easy? Identify the study habits that actually worked so you can repeat them.
Did you have a class that was a struggle? Time to figure out the “why”. Was it the material? Was it your time management? Was it your effort? You can’t make a change until you figure out the “why”.

2. Your Calendar - You keep one, right?!?!?!

The second semester often gets busy, quickly. Sports seasons are underway, the rehearsals for the musical are in full swing, you have to take the SAT, AP exams are coming……

Don’t have a planner or a calendar: GET ONE!
Update your planner: Input all your new deadlines, game days, and rehearsals now.
Set an "Office Hour”: Identify one hour each day that is your non-negotiable study and organizational time. Having a set routine prevents that Sunday night "panic mode."

3. Refresh Your Digital & Physical Space

A cluttered desk (or desktop) leads to a cluttered mind. Set an afternoon aside to do the following:

Empty your backpack: You know you have old crumbled papers in there from October. This is also a great time to take an inventory of your current school supplies. Are those folders holding up OK, or is it time for some replacements?
Organize your Google Drive: Create a folder for "Semester 1" and move all old files into it. Start fresh with a "Semester 2" folder and subfolders for each class.
Check your tech: Make sure your Chromebook charger is in good shape, and your school apps are updated.

4. Make an early connection to your new teachers.

Remember, you don't need to wait until you have a problem to talk to your teachers. For many of you, you are starting new classes, so get to know your teachers. And for those teachers who aren’t new, take a little time to reconnect.

Proactively say hello: If you have a new teacher this semester, introduce yourself. A simple "I'm looking forward to this class" goes a long way.
Ask for clarity: If you’re continuing a year-long course and feel lost at the end of the first semester, make an appointment to meet with them. It’s much easier to fix a knowledge gap now than during finals in June. Your teachers are here to help!

Counselor’s Note: Please remember that while your GPA is important, it’s your mental health that is vital. If you’re feeling overwhelmed before the first week is even over, our doors are always open. We can look at your schedule and find a balance that works for you.

Looking forward to a great semester - you’ve got this!

Wishing you Progress over Perfection,

Mrs. Gorman

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