Hello Ursuline Families, 

Catching up with a colleague not seen in months, learning about school initiatives for the coming year, and seeing former students who are now colleagues and who aren’t quite sure how they should address you (is your first name appropriate or do they stick with the tried-and-true Ms. or Mr.?) are all part of the experiences that define our first few days back at school. As we delve into our in-service activities, we discuss our school theme, which is Joy, Psalm 16:11. Upon initial reflection, it’s easy to think of the big moments in life such as getting your first car, making the last shot to win the big game, or paying half price for that pair of shoes you had been eyeing for weeks as some that elicit great joy. Sometimes, though, you realize that joy doesn’t come from the big moments but instead from the everyday events that simply happen and help you realize it’s not the end result that matters most but rather the many steps that happen along the way that often bring about joy. 

For us in the College Counseling Office, we relish these everyday moments that allow us to be present for and support our students as we help them navigate an important piece of their personal journey. We think of our freshmen, for instance, who are starting school with a sense of uncertainty about what is to come, but who we know will acclimate well as they find their people and the activities that will add to their joy during their first year of high school. We look forward to visiting them during their freshman seminar later this fall, welcoming them to our office for our annual College Counseling Goes Green open house in December, and introducing them to our now famous “question of the day!” 

On our first day of school, we could not help but smile as many of our sophomores came by the office and found a welcome message posted on our hub instead of the question of the day they had come to expect. Knowing that our QOD, as we call it, has added to their joy did the same for us as we recognized how this gesture has become a small, but joyful part of their school day. As we look to the year ahead and the opportunities we will have to help guide our sophomores through the process of exploring colleges, we are excited to offer fall and spring workshops, meet them for small group discussions in the spring, and host on-campus college fairs, all of which focus on helping them consider the type of college experience they hope for and one that would bring them joy. 

Knowing that our QOD, as we call it, has added to their joy did the same for us as we recognized how this gesture has become a small, but joyful part of their school day.

Our juniors returned to school looking a bit older, a bit wiser, and knowing this will be a year of discernment that has them focusing more closely on the vision they have for their future. Through individual and family meetings, providing opportunities to engage with colleges, and workshops focused on various aspects of the college process, we look forward to supporting them as they continue to plan for their educational journey. Though the process will have several unknowns, we look forward to shared moments of joy as they experience their “aha” moments, becoming more comfortable and confident with the path that awaits them. 

For the first few months of the year, so much of the joy we experience comes from guiding our seniors as they begin in earnest to work on the start of their next chapter. Smiles, laughter, and many hugs come from seeing their excitement as they submit their first applications, find essay topics that truly tell their story, share their thoughts on a college visit that left them with the feeling they had found a place to call home, and watch the first college board signing of the year. Sometimes, though, joy stems from helping a student recognize that an unexpected pivot that deviates from the original plan will lead to an outcome they come to realize was truly meant to be.  

Beyond our work with students, joy also comes from welcoming our college friends to campus, visiting colleges and leaving with a better sense knowing which of our students would be a great fit for that campus, and continuing to learn as we stay aware of the many changes impacting the college admissions landscape. Joy also comes from welcoming a new colleague, German Lopez, to our office as a member of our College Counseling team. We were fortunate to work with German when he served as our University of Dallas admissions representative and look forward to having him as another College Counselor whose passion and commitment for assisting students in their college journey and understanding of our school mission make him a wonderful addition to our Ursuline community.

Sometimes, though, joy stems from helping a student recognize that an unexpected pivot that deviates from the original plan will lead to an outcome they come to realize was truly meant to be. 

All of us in the College Counseling Office are excited about the year ahead and the opportunities we have to work with you and your daughters. We invite you to reach out to our office with questions. We hope you have many moments during the year that bring you and your family great joy and wish you a wonderful start to the school year!   

Warm Regards, 

Alicia Estes 

Director of College Counseling