From May 2 to 4, the student affairs team of the School of Management, Northwestern Polytechnical University actively carried out in-depth study of the Counselor Work Manual of Northwestern Polytechnical University at Room 206, Chang’an Campus, each day from 16:00 to 17:30. This training aimed to strengthen professional knowledge and working skills of the student affairs team, improve counselors’ comprehensive competence, and lay a solid foundation for better serving students.

During the training, each counselor took turns to lead the reading and explain relevant contents, covering ideological and political education and value guidance, construction of the Party, the Communist Youth League and class collectives, academic atmosphere development, daily student affairs management, mental health education, career planning, employment and entrepreneurship guidance, and other key areas. The manual elaborates on all aspects of counselor work, providing comprehensive and detailed references and guidance for daily practice.

Through careful study, discussion and mutual exchange, counselors further deepened their understanding of the counselor role and enhanced professional confidence. They also discussed and shared views on key issues in the manual, learned from each other’s experience, and improved their professional competence, so as to better serve students in future work.

After the training, each teacher shared their learning insights.

Teacher Nayili Kurban said: “As the term suggests, a counselor focuses on ‘assisting’ and ‘guiding’—guiding students ideologically, supporting them academically, and teaching them behaviorally. At first, I thought anyone could be a counselor, but that is not the case. To be an excellent counselor requires broad knowledge, good communication skills, document and office abilities, ideological education capacity, psychological counseling skills, employment guidance expertise, and professional knowledge. Given all these competencies, I believe the counselor post is a cornerstone for nurturing outstanding people. Although some say the job is exhausting, often from dawn till late at night, and even after duty hours, counselors achieve self-improvement and self-fulfillment in this position.”

Teacher Gong Xue said: “Counselors are not only managers of students’ daily behavior but also mentors and guides on their growth path. In our work, we should help students become talented and educate them to be responsible individuals. As a core force in ideological and political work in universities, I believe we must: first, strengthen our own professional knowledge; second, devote full enthusiasm and actively engage in student work; third, give full play to the positive role of student cadres to improve the efficiency of implementing university policies; fourth, establish a sound communication platform to become mentors and friends to students; fifth, emphasize the construction of class committee systems and conduct work with the respect and trust of students. Some say counseling is the most basic, low-profile and arduous job on campus, but I believe it is one of the most vibrant.”

Teacher Yuan Yuan said: “The three-day study of the counselor manual and heated discussions with colleagues have deepened my thorough understanding of student affairs and inspired new working ideas. As a counselor, I will pay more attention to methods, implement requirements earnestly, guide students wholeheartedly, and pursue innovation. In addition, I summarized, interpreted and emphasized key points of the mental health education work I am responsible for, which will greatly facilitate future practice. I hope to continue strengthening theoretical study and communication with colleagues, constantly improve my capabilities, and serve as a strong support for students.”

Teacher Li Hengyu said: “Counselors are the backbone of ideological and political work in universities. This study of the manual has helped me better understand the required skills, practical affairs and responsibilities of a counselor. It guided me in conducting ideological and political education, academic atmosphere construction, mental health education, employment and entrepreneurship guidance. I realize that a strong sense of responsibility is the driving force of counseling work; enthusiasm and vitality help students form good habits and class spirit, and enhance cohesion and honor. Besides, rich professional knowledge and research capacity are also needed. We should learn, research and practice simultaneously, elevate experience to theory, carry out creative work, achieve high-level educational research results, form our own working style, and strive to be a bridge between teaching and student management.”

Teacher Gong Mujia said: “As a young university teacher serving part-time as a counselor, studying the counselor manual has given me a more comprehensive understanding of the role. The manual provides abundant theoretical knowledge and practical skills, enabling me to better focus on students’ all-round development and improve counseling quality. Such knowledge not only helps me build positive interactions with students in teaching but also makes me more attentive to students’ needs and growth. Thanks to the guidance and enlightenment of the manual, I will continue to improve my professional quality, provide better education and guidance for students, and support their progress in academic pursuits.”

Finally, Teacher Zhang Mengyu said: “After three days of study, I have deeply realized the importance of Party building and ideological and political education in university counseling work. First, as Party members, we should set an example and implement the Party’s education principles. We must strengthen our Party spirit and continuously improve political and moral standards to lead students on the right path. Second, we should carry out various forms of ideological and political education based on students’ actual conditions, such as social practice, cultural activities and volunteer services, to help students establish correct worldviews, values and outlooks on life and promote their all-round development. Third, we must constantly improve our working abilities and earnestly fulfill our missions. We should focus on theoretical study, enhance ideological and political quality and professional competence, strengthen communication with students, understand their thoughts and needs, and provide more effective support.”

This study activity of the Counselor Work Manual has injected new motivation and vitality into the student affairs team. In the future, counselors will devote themselves to work with a more positive attitude and higher standards, contribute more to students’ growth and development, and support the university and the school in cultivating more outstanding talents.

(Reviewed by Wang Zhaoxu)