Patrick O’Connor
@collegeisyours.bsky.social
College counseling with the student in mind, training counselors to be amazing college counselors, author of College is Yours 3, College Counseling for School Counselors, and public policy advocate for college access. Need a college counselor speaker? Me!
I try not to talk much about government, but here’s the exception. If nothing else, read the poem at the end.
sixoclocksky.com/2025/07/30/g...
sixoclocksky.com/2025/07/30/g...
Government
When my class (I teach American Government) studies political parties, I tell them parties are founded around the answer to one fundamental question: What is the purpose of government? If we belie…
sixoclocksky.com
July 31, 2025 at 12:52 PM
I try not to talk much about government, but here’s the exception. If nothing else, read the poem at the end.
sixoclocksky.com/2025/07/30/g...
sixoclocksky.com/2025/07/30/g...
If you’re a school counselor, read on to participate in the best professional development experience of your life. I promise.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/04/a-da...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/04/a-da...
A Day in Their Life
by Patrick O'Connor, Ph.D. It was arguably one of the best moments in the history of school counseling, and, while I cannot remember wh...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com
April 3, 2025 at 3:07 PM
If you’re a school counselor, read on to participate in the best professional development experience of your life. I promise.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/04/a-da...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/04/a-da...
What every high school senior college bound needs to hear today. Make sure you share.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/03/deci...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/03/deci...
Decision Time is Nigh
by Patrick O'Connor, Ph.D. This is a time of great excitement for all of you, but before you go any further, it’s important to know thr...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com
March 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
What every high school senior college bound needs to hear today. Make sure you share.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/03/deci...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/03/deci...
A quick overview of what’s really going on in the US Department of Education.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/02/a-pr...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/02/a-pr...
A Primer on the US Department of Education
by Patrick O'Connor, Ph.D. The US Department of Education (known as ED) has been in the media spotlight the last two weeks with an inte...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com
February 6, 2025 at 2:47 PM
A quick overview of what’s really going on in the US Department of Education.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/02/a-pr...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/02/a-pr...
this is a piece you will want all students and parents to read.
“get to the second half of junior year and say ‘Here’s where I am, here’s what I’ve learned about myself and life, and here’s where I think things should be headed next’.”
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/01/real...
“get to the second half of junior year and say ‘Here’s where I am, here’s what I’ve learned about myself and life, and here’s where I think things should be headed next’.”
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/01/real...
Real College Counseling
by Patrick O'Connor, Ph.D. “In your book, you seem to suggest students should think about college as early as eighth grade. Doesn’t tha...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com
January 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
this is a piece you will want all students and parents to read.
“get to the second half of junior year and say ‘Here’s where I am, here’s what I’ve learned about myself and life, and here’s where I think things should be headed next’.”
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/01/real...
“get to the second half of junior year and say ‘Here’s where I am, here’s what I’ve learned about myself and life, and here’s where I think things should be headed next’.”
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/01/real...
My fearless (and typically wrong) predictions for college admission in 2025– except for the last prediction, which salutes the accomplishments of an exceptional colleague, on the verge of retirement.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/01/pred...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/01/pred...
Predictions for 2025
by Patrick O'Connor, Ph.D. It’s always dangerous to put your January 1 ideas down in writing. If I had done so last year, I would have ...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com
January 9, 2025 at 2:46 PM
My fearless (and typically wrong) predictions for college admission in 2025– except for the last prediction, which salutes the accomplishments of an exceptional colleague, on the verge of retirement.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/01/pred...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2025/01/pred...
Your senior has been admitted to college— what do you do over holiday break? (Careful— the answer isn’t obvious).
Your senior is still applying to college— what do you do over holiday break?
Friday at 9 on Dr. Radio, Sirius XM— let’s discuss!
can.siriusxm.com/player/show/...
Your senior is still applying to college— what do you do over holiday break?
Friday at 9 on Dr. Radio, Sirius XM— let’s discuss!
can.siriusxm.com/player/show/...
SiriusXM Streaming: Music, Sports, News, Podcasts & Talk
Bring music & entertainment wherever you go with SiriusXM. Listen to music, live sports play-by-play, talk & entertainment radio & favorite podcasts.
can.siriusxm.com
December 19, 2024 at 2:50 PM
Your senior has been admitted to college— what do you do over holiday break? (Careful— the answer isn’t obvious).
Your senior is still applying to college— what do you do over holiday break?
Friday at 9 on Dr. Radio, Sirius XM— let’s discuss!
can.siriusxm.com/player/show/...
Your senior is still applying to college— what do you do over holiday break?
Friday at 9 on Dr. Radio, Sirius XM— let’s discuss!
can.siriusxm.com/player/show/...
Can you really get to know all of a junior’s college plans in 20 minutes? No— but you can get a good start doing this…
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/intr...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/intr...
An Introduction to Junior Interviews
by Patrick O'Connor, Ph.D. It’s hard to believe counselors will be talking with juniors about college right after we get back from Dece...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com
December 19, 2024 at 2:43 PM
Can you really get to know all of a junior’s college plans in 20 minutes? No— but you can get a good start doing this…
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/intr...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/intr...
What can elected officials with time on their hands to do change your work with students? Don’t ask, but do pay attention.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/watc...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/watc...
Watch Your State Legislature. Seriously.
by Patrick O'Connor, Ph.D. In case you’re thinking the only two groups in gift giving mode this time of year are college admissions off...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com
December 12, 2024 at 2:44 PM
What can elected officials with time on their hands to do change your work with students? Don’t ask, but do pay attention.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/watc...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/watc...
Community service has taken a beating at the hands of college admissions. What it really is, and why that still matters.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/abou...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/abou...
About Community Service
by Patrick O'Connor, Ph.D. High school students, especially those of you applying to college, it's time to have a heart-to-heart about ...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com
December 5, 2024 at 2:38 PM
Community service has taken a beating at the hands of college admissions. What it really is, and why that still matters.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/abou...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/12/abou...
Recipe video folks. You’re too slow:
If the recipe calls for six eggs, break one on tape.
Sprinkling sugar on 12 cookies? Show us one.
Smoothing batter? Five seconds is plenty.
Cutting strawberries to make two cups? Cut two on tape.
Really. We get it.
If the recipe calls for six eggs, break one on tape.
Sprinkling sugar on 12 cookies? Show us one.
Smoothing batter? Five seconds is plenty.
Cutting strawberries to make two cups? Cut two on tape.
Really. We get it.
December 2, 2024 at 9:11 PM
Recipe video folks. You’re too slow:
If the recipe calls for six eggs, break one on tape.
Sprinkling sugar on 12 cookies? Show us one.
Smoothing batter? Five seconds is plenty.
Cutting strawberries to make two cups? Cut two on tape.
Really. We get it.
If the recipe calls for six eggs, break one on tape.
Sprinkling sugar on 12 cookies? Show us one.
Smoothing batter? Five seconds is plenty.
Cutting strawberries to make two cups? Cut two on tape.
Really. We get it.
Tips for college applicants on making it through the holidays. Share widely!
sixoclocksky.com/2024/11/21/c...
sixoclocksky.com/2024/11/21/c...
Collegeholidays
Completing college applications can be hard work, work that often runs through the holiday season. Since everyone else is taking some time off, this would seem to be the perfect opportunity to hang…
sixoclocksky.com
November 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Tips for college applicants on making it through the holidays. Share widely!
sixoclocksky.com/2024/11/21/c...
sixoclocksky.com/2024/11/21/c...
The holidays can offer special challenges to high school seniors applying to college. Here’s how to thrive, not just survive.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/11/maki...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/11/maki...
Making It Through the Holidays without Being Broken
by Patrick O'Connor, Ph.D. Completing college applications can be hard work, work that often runs through the holiday season. Since eve...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com
November 18, 2024 at 2:51 PM
The holidays can offer special challenges to high school seniors applying to college. Here’s how to thrive, not just survive.
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/11/maki...
hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2024/11/maki...
The customer may not always be right, but they’re always the customer. Why recipes, social media articles, and restaurants should remember this.
sixoclocksky.com/2024/11/17/s...
sixoclocksky.com/2024/11/17/s...
Service
I really thought this would be easy. It was 5:45, dinner had to be on the table, and I had a package of Trader Joe’s Hash Browns. Trade Joe’s is a wonderful place, but they generally ha…
sixoclocksky.com
November 18, 2024 at 2:45 PM
The customer may not always be right, but they’re always the customer. Why recipes, social media articles, and restaurants should remember this.
sixoclocksky.com/2024/11/17/s...
sixoclocksky.com/2024/11/17/s...