Hey there. how are you doing? Equal parts excited and terrified to start your new career? Sounds about right.

You’ve spent the last several years reading up on neuropsychology, education, and special education law. you’ve administered an IQ test to every member of your family, and given yourself at least 3 unofficial diagnoses on the way.

You’ve slowly worked your way up, from testing your sister to a real-life child, and you’ve even shared progress with a parent. And now, here you are, probably in a small, outdated office, filled with years of outdated testing materials, and not a new pen or empty file folder in sight.

You might be excited to fill that office with adorable posters, baskets of fidgets, and the toy section at Target. Go for it. That “freshman” first-year energy is second to none.

On the other hand, you might have a handful of used games you’ve been given from family members and some printable posters from online. That’s perfect too. Take the time, you’ve got it. Plus, kids will ruin anything new and shiny too quickly anyways.

Remind yourself on day 1, day 2, and day 100 that you are new and do not need to know all the answers. None of us know all the answers. Ask questions, and you are allowed to. Make friends with the office staff and the custodians. When you feel overwhelmed or don’t know what to do, go out to recess or visit a life skills classroom.

Perfectly planned counseling sessions will flop sometimes, but they will make you a better counselor. Parents will fight hard for their children, and you might feel the brunt of it, but you will learn, over time, that that is less about your scores and more about parents fighting for a child with a suspected disability.

You will have some tough moments this year, no doubt. You will probably help something through something terrible. But you will likely also be the bright spot in someone’s life.

So, get excited. You’ve got this.