Topics discussed in guidance counselling
The main purpose of guidance counselling is to support pupils’ growth and development, enabling them to enhance their study skills and social competence and acquire knowledge and skills required in life planning. Guidance counselling also connects schools to society and working life. It helps promote fairness, equality, non-discrimination and participation, while preventing exclusion from education and working life.
Every pupil is entitled to guidance at school. Guidance counselling promotes:
- success in schoolwork
- smooth progress of studies
- effectiveness and impact of education.
In Espoo, the entire school participates in guiding pupils. Guidance is integrated into the teaching of all subjects and is the responsibility of the entire school staff. Explore Espoo’s model for high-quality guidance: Espoo’s model for high-quality guidance in basic education | City of Espoo The school-specific guidance plan is appended to the school’s annual plan.
Guidance counsellors take into account each pupil’s individual background and needs. Guidance is planned around pupils’ personal goals, experiences, hobbies, interests, skills, and factors affecting their life situation.
Guidance counselling is provided one-on-one and in groups.
The following section outlines the contents of guidance counselling in lower secondary schools.
Objectives and contents of guidance counselling
Regular school attendance is important. Pupils learn to learn in many ways during their school years. In lower secondary school, the focus is on study methods and the languages of different fields of study. Learning skills can and should be practised. It is important to identify which methods work best for you and to practise new techniques and approaches to facilitate your schoolwork.
You can find useful tips through these links:
- Studying in comprehensive school
- Energy, nutrition, exercise and mental wellbeing(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
- ‘Nuorten linkki’ service(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Time management skills, space for schoolwork at home, family members’ support and encouragement for schoolwork and learning:
- Study techniques(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Memory support(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- The Finnish Diverse Learners’ Association(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Helsingin seudun erilaiset oppijat ry (HERO)(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Guides compiled by the Niilo Mäki Institute for young people, guardians and professionals about learning difficulties(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- lukusilta(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Combining sports and studies(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
- Vanhempainnetti (support for parents)(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Nuortennetti (support for young people)(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Espoo Someturva (support for victims of online bullying) / someturva.fi(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
- Peruskoulun oppilaan opiskelu ulkomailla(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Basic education for adults(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish) and locally(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
- Compulsory education in Espoo
- Questions and answers related to compulsory education(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
- MIELI Mental Health Finland supports young people’s mental wellbeing(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
Knowing yourself and recognising your strengths is important and helps you make decisions in life. By getting to know yourself, your abilities and the way you think, you can strengthen your skills and consciously develop areas where you need improvement.
Different tests can help you identify your strengths, interests and areas for development. It is good to remember that tests cannot tell you who you are; the results are always based on the answers you give. You get to decide if the results resonate with you.
Here are a few links to help you enhance your self-knowledge and explore your interests:
It is important to learn how to search for information related to further studies and different aspects of life during basic education.
Educational programmes and institutions in Finland have been compiled into the Studyinfo service: Studyinfo(external link, opens in a new window), instructional videos (in Finnish) can be found at: Ohjevideot - Opintopolku(external link, opens in a new window) (external links)
Cross-cultural competence is part of civic skills; read more at: Miksi maailmalle - Opintopolku(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
You can practise future-planning skills for example at: Tulevaisuuskoulu | Lasten ja nuorten säätiö (nuori.fi)(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
Pupils learn about working life as part of guidance counselling. It may involve company visits and exploring working life-related phenomena and different types of occupations.
Here are a few links worth checking out:
- Work experience learning period (TET)
- Espoo’s summer job voucher
- The Professional Information website contains descriptions of occupations and occupational fields(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
- Information for young workers(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
- Employment and business services for young people (external link)
- Summer employee’s checklist(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Entrepreneurship information for young people(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
There is a wide range of educational programmes available in Finland. Young people can choose a programme and career path that suits their abilities and interests. Pupils should discuss their thoughts and hopes with the guidance counsellor and learn how to search for information.
Finnish education system(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
Diagram of the Finnish education system(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
Links to useful websites:
- Information about the joint application system
- Guardian’s checklist(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
General upper secondary education
- Upper secondary education In Espoo
- National information: upper secondary education(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
Vocational upper secondary education
- Vocational qualifications by campuses | Omnia(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
- National information(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
For pupils who need significant support in their studies
- Vocational qualifications in Espoo(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification (TUVA) in Espoo(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- Preparatory education for work and independent living (TELMA) in Espoo(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
- National information, ameo.fi(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, in Finnish)
Preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification (TUVA)
In Espoo: Preparatory education for upper secondary qualification – TUVA | Omnia(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
National information (in Finnish): Tutkintokoulutukseen valmentava koulutus - Opintopolku(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
Apprenticeship training
In Espoo: Apprenticeship | Omnia(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
National information: Apprenticeship -> For the student(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
Folk high school studies for students of compulsory education age: Folk high school year for youth of compulsory education age | www.kansanopistot.fi(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
Information on education and the application process is available on InfoFinland’s website in several languages: Applying for education and training (infofinland.fi)(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
- Studying at a university and a university of applied sciences(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
Financial support for students:
- KELA: Students | Our Services | Kela(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
Support available
A learning support system is available for pupils in basic education. It includes different kind of pedagogical arrangements that supports learning. At the upper secondary level, the situation differs slightly. If you received support in basic education, you must reapply for support for your upper secondary studies, as previously granted support will not automatically continue.
Support provided by general upper secondary schools is similar to general support provided by comprehensive schools. Students in vocational and TUVA education can receive general and special support. If you need intensive special needs support, it is available in vocational special education institutions (for initial vocational qualifications and TUVA and TELMA programmes).
- Support for vocational education: Special needs teaching for vocational and TUVA students | Omnia(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)
- Support for general upper secondary education: Student welfare and support for studying | City of Espoo
- Need for extensive support (in Finnish): Vaativa erityinen tuki - Yksilöllistä tukea opiskeluun - Live (livesaatio.fi)(external link, opens in a new window) (external link)