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In university counselling, self-reflection and empowerment of students play a very important part. One technique that I’ve found particularly effective is guided journalling, specifically focused on three pivotal questions: what to study, where to study and how to make it happen.

This technique not only serves as an icebreaker, but also delves into the core concerns of students, providing valuable insights for career and college guidance, with the aim of empowering students to understand “best fit”.

Guided journalling: introducing the three questions

Before beginning one-on-one counselling sessions, I initiate the process by introducing three fundamental questions to the students:

• What do you want to study?
• Where do you want to study?
• How can you make it happen?

This initial step helps to stimulate introspection and encourages students to articulate their thoughts and aspirations.

Facilitating self-exploration

After familiarising students with the questions, I allocate dedicated time for them to engage in guided journalling. I encourage students to write freely, letting their thoughts flow without inhibition.

Here’s a breakdown of how each question can guide their journalling:

1. What do you want to study?

Prompt students to reflect on their interests, passions and skills. Encourage them to envisage their ideal career paths and the fields of study that align with their aspirations.

Encouraging detailed responses helps students to explore various academic disciplines and potential career trajectories.

2. Where do you want to study?

Encourage students to research different educational institutions, considering factors such as location, academic programmes, campus culture and extracurricular opportunities.

Encourage them to reflect on their preferences and priorities, whether it’s a prestigious university, a specialised college or a local college.

3. How can you make it happen?

Guide students to contemplate actionable steps towards realising their academic and career goals. Encourage them to brainstorm strategies for academic excellence, financial planning, scholarship applications and networking opportunities.

Empower them to create a road map for success, breaking down their aspirations into manageable tasks.

How to follow up the journalling exercise

Following the guided-journalling exercise, I give one-on-one counselling sessions with each student. By reviewing their journal entries, I gain valuable insights into their aspirations, concerns and thought processes.

I then use these insights during counselling sessions.

1. Deep dive into responses

Explore each student’s responses to the three questions, probing deeper into their motivations, fears and aspirations. Encourage them to elaborate on the specific interests, academic strengths and career aspirations articulated in their journal entries. 

2. Identifying patterns and themes

Look for recurring themes and patterns across multiple students’ responses. Identify common challenges, interests and aspirations shared by students, allowing for group, as well as individual guidance and support.

Offer resources, recommendations and strategies aligned to their individual circumstances and aspirations.

3. Goal setting and action planning

Collaborate with students to set achievable goals and develop action plans to pursue their academic and career aspirations.

Encourage them to take ownership of their journeys, providing ongoing support and encouragement along the way.

Guided journalling, focused on the three questions of what to study, where to study and how to make it happen, serves as a dynamic tool for career and college counselling.

By fostering self-exploration and facilitating introspection – then following it up with personalised guidance – this technique empowers students to navigate their academic and career journeys with confidence and clarity.

It can help us as counsellors to guide students towards discovering their unique qualities and can help them to figure out how to navigate different courses, careers and colleges.