With the ending of the school year, summer brings opportunities for students to investigate postsecondary schools, to explore careers, to earn some money to help finance their education, to improve skills, and to make-up any courses failed this year.

Sophomores and juniors should spend time this summer narrowing their choices of colleges. Students need to decide the kind of college that suits them best. For example, consider the advantages and disadvantages of a large college such as a state university, a small college, a college with a religious affiliation, a two-year college, a military college, a college known for its strength in a particular academic area, a college in a large or small city, or a college close to home. After narrowing college choices, a visit to colleges during the summer would be worthwhile. Research the school at www.ecampustours.com. Call ahead to schedule a visit or use the Book-It-Now function for online scheduling at participating schools.

Students often can explore careers through summer jobs and volunteer work. For example, if a student were interested in medical careers, work experience in the health care field would be ideal, or if education were the students’ interest, working with children would provide valuable experience. Even if a student ends up with a job that is less than glamorous, the experience can add a great deal to college and scholarship applications and job resumes. Colleges and future employers will see that the students with jobs use their time in productive ways, can take directions, are reliable, can work well with the public, and can deal with stressful situations. If the job extends through the school year, students should not overload themselves to the point that their academic performance suffers.

In addition to improving job skills, students can use the summer to improve other skills. Reading is listed as one of the best ways to prepare for standardized tests like PLAN, PSAT, ACT and SAT. Read fiction, nonfiction, newspapers and magazines. Keep writing, too. The more kinds of writing students have practiced, the better. Review math skills. Take a speed reading course or some other class that is of interest.

Finally, students who failed a core subject in English, math, science, or social studies would make wise use of their time this summer by retaking that class in the Credit Recovery program at Lincoln County High School (LCHS). Registration for Credit Recovery is 8:00 a.m. May 29, 2007, in the LCHS commons area. LCHS students will pay $100 for each credit. Out-of-county students will pay $200 for each credit. When students come to register, they must know which credit(s) are needed and the grade(s) earned in the subject to be recovered. To be eligible for credit recovery, a student must have earned at least a 50 in the course. After registration, students will be scheduled in one of the following time slots: 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Credit Recovery will begin Monday, June 4, and will continue through July 13.

Since this is the last article for the year, I would like to thank the following people who make the weekly article possible: Lucy Carter for allowing us the space, Jack Jean for proofreading each week, and Roxanne Thomas and Melissa Ogle for corrections and emailing. Not only is this the last article for the year, but it is the last article that I will write for the Counselor’s Corner since I am retiring effective May 22, 2007. Mr. Jim Stewart is due credit for having the vision for the weekly article and giving me the opportunity. I appreciate the opportunity I have had to share information from the guidance department and hope it has helped parents and students. I am sure next year another person in the guidance department will assume this responsibility and keep everyone informed. Have a happy and safe summer and best wishes for a great school year in 2007-2008.