Welcome to the new school year (I hear the moans out there!!) Whether you're a veteran counselor or stepping into your first fall in the role, this time of year brings a mix of excitement, chaos, and never-ending to-do lists. That’s why I am launching my Back-to-School Blog Series—a collection of practical tips, clever tricks, and counselor-approved trinkets to help you support your students this school year.
Each post in this series will offer real-world, time-saving tools you can use right now—from organizing your office and managing your caseload to creative ways to build relationships with students, staff, and families. I'll also highlight favorite low-cost supplies (yes, including the sticker packs and sensory tools that even high schoolers secretly love!).
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend, present, and even exhibit at the American School Counselor Association (#ASCA25) Conference in Long Beach, CA. It is always an incredible experience to connect with so many dedicated school counselors and learn more about the amazing programs happening across the country.
As we prepared for our exhibit table, we knew we wanted to offer something simple, budget-friendly, and impactful. With limited funds, we opted for just two giveaway items: stickers and stress stars. I was confident these would be a hit with elementary and middle school counselors looking for resources for their students—but what surprised me was how much the high school counselors (and even other exhibitors!) loved them too!
So, let’s be honest, as much as adults love stickers, our high school students still love them too. Yes—even the ones juggling car keys, vaping in the bathroom, skipping class, taking AP courses, and completing their college applications, or not🚫. And if you’re a school counselor, you probably already know that stickers are more than just decoration. They actually help us to build connections, reinforce positive messages that students may need when they are discouraged, and they can be a powerful tool for student engagement, especially with students that are hard to build a connection with😒.
So in this blog post, I wanted to give a shout out to stickers and explain why stickers are a small but mighty tool in every high school counselor’s toolkit—and even show you where a few of my favorites are so that you can grab them on Amazon!
1. Stickers Spark Conversations
When you hand a student a sticker that says “You Matter” or “Anxious but Trying,” it opens a door for students to talk to you or another trusted adult. It tells them: "Hey kid, I see you. I get it." It might seem like a small investment or gesture, but it’s often a powerful icebreaker—especially for students who don’t love talking face-to-face.
🛒 Try These Mental Health Affirmation Stickers on Amazon ⮜
2. They Reinforce Counseling Messages
Stickers are reminders of the messages you’re trying to reinforce in a counseling session or group —whether it’s coping strategies, mindfulness tips, or positive self-talk. Hey, you can even use them to support SEL lessons or small group themes.
🛒 Check Out These Positive Message Water Bottle Sticker Packs
3. They Tap into Teen Identity & Expression
Teens (like, most adults) love to express themselves. And nothing personalizes a laptop or phone case like a sticker that reflects their "vibe." Whether it’s a funny quote, their self identity, or a mental health mantra, these little squares (or hearts, or stars!) let them say, This is who I am.
🛒 Shop Trendy Sticker Packs for Teens
🛒Shop Sports Sticker Packs for Teens
4. They Make Great Giveaways for Events and Trainings
Running a “Mindfulness Week”? Hosting a peer mediation training? Stickers make great giveaways or incentives. Customize them to match your event’s theme and students will take a piece of it with them.
🛒 Mindfulness Sensory Event Stickers for Teens
🛒Calming Breathing/Anxiety Reducing Stickers
5. They Build Rapport Without Pressure
Sometimes, students who aren’t ready for a full conversation will stop by for… just a sticker. That’s okay! A sticker table in your office can be the entry point for building trust. Plus, students often grab extras—for their friends. That’s peer support in action.
🛒 Sensory Stickers with Instructions
🛒Shop Animals Stickers for Fun
Check Out This Pro Tip for Counselors:
Keep a rotating sticker stash in a small bin or organizer in your office. I personally love the calming strips for laptops and the meme stickers for students!
🛒 Best-Selling Calming Strip Kit
🛒Meme Sticker Kit for Students
Final Thoughts: Small Stickers, Big Impact
You don’t need a big budget to make a big difference. A $10 - $15 pack of stickers can spark joy, build bridges, and make you a big deal on campus.
So go ahead—lean into the sticker life. You’ll be surprised how far a little adhesive and affirming words can go. Oh, here are some stickers for the adults in your life - a teacher friend, the school social worker, your administrator, maybe?
Have a favorite sticker pack your students love? Drop it in the comments or tag me on social media!
See in two weeks for part 2!
Comments
Post a Comment