Things I learned from being a high school counselor

Here is some advise if you are planning on working with alternative high school kids. This is all based on expereicne and my learning the hard way

1. high school kids may be in high school, but they often act like 5 year olds
2. pick your battles, you can't win them all
3. consistency is key......kids need boundaries and rules! They don't have any at home and you are the person to deliver it
4. enabling may seem like a good idea, but you might as well be a door mate
5. always say good morning even though you want to ream them for being tardy. Most kids leave homes that are dysfunctional and full of negative energy, it doesn't help to harp on that, they are already late
6. hold your tongue and smile but ts ok to tell students what you really want to say would get yourself fired
7. divulge about your life....kids want role models and want to know they are not alone in their experiences
8. high school kids are dirty........wash your hands regularly
9. practice what you preach...if you shake your finger at the new pregnant teen, make sure your protecting yourself, you don't want to be the next one knocked up left to explain your careless behavior
10. don't argue....kids love getting you fired up, be calm but not too calm, that pisses them off too
11. high school kids bathroom needs are equivalent to a 2 year old...either get tough about it or get used to constant nagging of "i have to pee its an emergency" and no they really don't have to pee, they enjoy roaming the halls
12. be organized.......you don't want to the one who forgot to make the schedule or appointment for something, when your the only person doing your job, you can't point the finger at someone else
13. high school kids cuss and enjoy trying to sag their skinny jeans....that's a battle you just leave alone, unless its racially motivated, in that case use duck tape (just kidding)
14. remember that students come from all walks of life with many different experiences, some days they can't focus and thats taht
15. just as kids have bad days so do we.......we are all human and somedays are not good, but remember to take it out on your co-workers and not the students (again..kidding)
16. you will make mistakes, thats how we learn.....just don't royally screw up a transcript that keeps a kid from graduating :)
17. don't forget to check your dress after peeing.....there is a high chance its tucked in your tights and an even higher a chance a student will point it out
18. the only time to call a student out is if you fart.....always blame a kid.....always
19. don't listen to people who tell you that kids should always be at school no matter what....some kids need a timeout, a timeout away from you wanting to hurt them
20. and last but not least...don't take things personal....joey didn't mean to call you a bitch on Tuesday, he had a bad morning........but you really were a bitch on Monday