School Counselor of the Month: Nilanjana Mukherjee

What’s the weirdest/funniest thing you ever heard a student or parent say?

Well, to be honest, conversations with students are always filled with humour, and that’s what I like most about working with young adults. They have such a unique perspective that it can make you stop in your tracks, pause, and laugh. A much-needed relief on days that are stressful.

If you had to write a college essay about yourself, what would your topic be?

How being “SHORT” has impacted my life!

Being vertically challenged and managing classes where most of my students are at least a head taller than me has led to many hilarious situations.

What’s the most oddly satisfying part of your job that no one ever thinks about?

I think when the student feels confident and owns their own story!

What would your “Guidance Counsellor Superpower” be if you were in a comic book?

Superpower: Time Travel…. If only I could be like Hermione and time-travel to make sure all my students are on top of things within the required time frame.

Which fictional character do you think would make a surprisingly great guidance counsellor?

Kung FU PANDA… In the movie, the character PO appears to know nothing, but he is surprisingly self-aware and can make anyone feel comfortable. He is also kind, and perhaps the most important quality we must have, irrespective of what we do and achieve

What’s your go-to motivational phrase that even you roll your eyes at sometimes—but it works?

Success is not final: Failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.

While this may be a common saying, I think it's still very important because it helps us to put things in perspective. All of us must go through our fair share of success and failure, but it is the ability to carry on, remain humble, and stay committed that will stand us in good stead.