FAQs:

1. How can the counselor help?

2. How are solutions arrived at?

3. Is there a stigma?

4. What are the matters for which I may see the counselor?

5. Will counseling take a long time?

6. Is the discussion with the counselor confidential?

7. How do I get to see the Full-Time School Counselor?

8. Other emergency numbers

9. Self Help Tips

          -  Examination Stress Management

          -  How to study (Managing your study time)

          -  How to study (Preparing to study)

          -  How to study (Goals Setting)

          -  How to study (Procrastination)

          -  How to study (Strategies for taking tests) 

A peek at our TPJC counselor's cheery room.

1. How can the counselor help?

   Students may sometimes feel that they face a lot of challenges and the timing of these may cause them to feel there is too much to be handled.  Counseling helps students to look at issues in a proactive way and to come up with some workable solutions or strategies.  When a student does not feel good, counseling allows him/her to unload by talking about what he/she is bothered by, especially at a time when he/she feels a need to talk to someone urgently.

   The counselor helps the student look at issues from different angles and works with him/her towards some solutions.

   Through counseling, students also learnt life skills and will be better equipped when faced with similar challenges in the future.  The skills learned will also help them to make more informed choices.
   
   

2. How are solutions arrived at?

   This is done through working with the person concerned and tapping on his or her support system, beliefs, strengths and getting the person to utilize the solutions to solve the issues in question.

3. Is there a stigma?

   Seeing a counselor is just about talking to someone when one is feeling disheartened, discouraged, sad, etc. There is no stigma attached.  It gives the person an opportunity to relate his or her thoughts so that he or she can move on.

4. What are the matters for which I may see the counselor?

   Students may see Mrs Tan about matters related to:

   a) motivation

   b) stress

   c) confidence

   d) emotions (anger, depression, grief, etc)

   e) relationship (boy-girl, family, friends, etc)

   f) communication

   g) improving self-discipline

   h) career

   i) others

5. Will counseling take a long time?

   There is no magic potion.  It all depends on the student's condition.  It can be slow or fast depending on the issues involved.  Hence, patience is needed if the student has lots of issues to resolve.  If the issues are easy to resolve, the student may need to see the counselor only once.

6. Is the discussion with the counselor confidential?

   Whatever that is said during counseling is confidential. 
   
   

7. How do I get to see the Full-Time School Counselor?

   Appointments can be made via the TPJCnet, telephone or at the counselor's office.  Students may be referred by their tutors or they may just walk into the counselor's office to see the counselor whenever she is available.