A t some point you will go to your counselor’s office during your years at Lowell, whether it’s for scheduling issues or college letters. As a freshman, it can be difficult to approach your counselor, especially if you are asking for a favor (like trying to get into that one class that it already full). Although it can be intimidating, getting to know your counselor will make your school experience much easier. Below are a few tips to approaching your counselor and making a good impression:

Email First: As a freshman, your classes are already chosen for you. However, sometimes issues concerning class assignments can happen. If you need to set up an appointment with your counselor, it is usually better to email them first instead of going directly to their office as they are sometimes busy.

Bring a Teacher’s Note: If you are trying to get into a certain class that you haven’t signed up for via Arena or any other official sign up site, it is helpful to have a note from the teacher of that class as proof of official approval.

Patience is Key: The first week of school and after Arena are the worst times to visit your counselor. It is better to make an appointment with your counselor after all the scheduling chaos has died down a bit. During the week of Arena and the first week of school, students are adding or dropping classes, which makes the class availability inconsistent. If you wait until the scheduling madness is over, it is sometimes easier to get the classes you want because the class availability is more set. Of course, if you prefer to see your counselor as soon as possible, set up a time to meet over email.

Show Gratitude: Make sure to send your counselor a thank you email or card! Counselors work with many students from all grades, so letting them know that you’re thankful always helps you stand out from the rest. This is also a great way to build connections with teachers, too.