North Union Secondary School Article

BECOMING A COUNSELOR

Are you interested in becoming a Peer Counselor? You may have many questions about what it means to be a Peer Counselor and how to apply. We hope to address many of your questions here on our North Union Secondary School peer counsel team article

WHAT IS PEER COUNSELING?

The Peer Counseling is a group service available to all undergraduate,high school students  and graduate students who wish to share a problem, need referral information, or just want to talk to an unbiased listener. The service is staffed by student volunteers who are trained active listeners and who are knowledgeable about the campus resources available to assist students.

WHAT QUALITIES DO I NEED TO BE A PEER COUNSELOR?

Peer Counselors should be dedicated, empathetic and committed to helping others. We want individuals who are able to problem solve without sharing personal information, experiences, opinions or values.

WILL I GET PAID?

Unfortunately, no.students volunteer their time to help others.

CAN ONLY CERTAIN MAJORS PARTICIPATE?

You might think that you have to be a psychology major in order to be a Peer Counselor. However, that is not the case. All majors are welcome to apply.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A PEER COUNSELOR?

Peer Counselors gain skills in active listening and problem solving that can be applied to many real life situations. They also receive the good feeling of helping others, while interacting with other peer counselors. This service can also be used as a reference for employers and graduate schools.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS TO BE A PEER COUNSELOR?

Upon signing up to volunteer, there is an application and interviewing process along with an intensive training seminar that is broken up over a Friday and Saturday. Each student is expected to be on shift for between 2.5 - 5 hours per week. There are also mandatory bi-weekly staff meetings designed to help refine active listening skills.

FOR HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO VOLUNTEER?

While there is no limit, it is expected that newly accepted applicants volunteer for two terms before leaving. This way you are able to gain valuable experience that can benefit both callers and other Peer Counselors who may look to you for guidance.

WHO ARE THE ADVISORS?

Our advisor is Mr. Smitt, and our President is ardina Jack.

HOW CAN I APPLY TO BE A PEER COUNSELOR?

Ask your teacher or your peer counselor president they will be happy to help you

Why I want to become a peer counsellor

Why I would like to be a Peer Counselor

When I was an Incoming freshman, my mother was not able to bring me to school, due to her job. Then I thought, "How can my grandparents help me with all of these things? � I was unmotivated and unsure. No one understood the anxiety that I was feeling. Then when our van pulled up where all of the other freshmen were, I saw these angels in white t-shirts that said "ask me. � I didn't know who these people were, but I pretty soon found out.

These so-called "angels � were Peer Counselors. I was in heaven when they immediately started helping me to move my things in while my grandparents took a load off. They were courteous and they smiled at me. They greeted me and I felt like I had been here a year already. I then knew I wanted to do the same for someone else.

My point of view about the Peer Counselors is that they are a group of motivated, educated, gracious, humble individuals. Half of the University doesn't know that they even exist, yet I'm glad that I do. It takes a lot to exert the amount of effort that they do, for little attention. It also takes a lot for them to want to help and to guide those who are new to this college thing. They do it because they have been in that same boat and they know what a big deal it is. And they love doing it too!

I want to be a part of it all. All of the fun that they seem to have together and all of the laughter seems to somehow pay off. I want the experience to feed my soul as it does theirs. I want to bring strengths to the organization, although it is strong enough. Go Big Blue!!!!


This was and article from the North Union Secondary School Peer Counselor Team

This was written and edited by Jaheem Greene

This article was sponsored by OXSE TREND'S

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