Lesson Plan
Inner Compass Session Outline
Guide a senior to identify and prioritize personal values, envision college goals, and co-create actionable next steps to support confident decision-making.
Clarifying core values and aligning them with future goals enhances self-awareness, reduces uncertainty in college selection, and empowers students to make decisions that reflect their authentic priorities.
Audience
12th Grade Student
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Structured one-on-one counseling using values exercises and guided reflection.
Prep
Prepare Session Materials
10 minutes
- Review the student’s background, college list, and personal statement highlights
- Print or load digital copies of the worksheets:
- Open the slide deck Navigating Your Values
- Familiarize yourself with prompts in Counselor’s Guided Reflection
Step 1
Introduction & Goal Setting
5 minutes
- Welcome student and establish rapport
- Explain session’s purpose and confidentiality
- Review objectives: identify values, prioritize them, and plan next steps
- Use opening prompts from Counselor’s Guided Reflection
Step 2
Values Exploration
10 minutes
- Present categories and examples via Navigating Your Values
- Ask student to reflect on which values resonate most
- Have student list their top five values and discuss personal meanings
Step 3
Values Prioritization
10 minutes
- Distribute Value Prioritization Chart
- Guide student to rank their top five values in order of importance
- Discuss why certain values take precedence and how they influence choices
Step 4
Vision Journaling
10 minutes
- Introduce the One-Minute Vision Journal
- Instruct student to write for one minute envisioning college life aligned with their top values
- Encourage free expression without editing
Step 5
Reflection & Action Planning
10 minutes
- Review insights from the chart and journal entry
- Ask reflection questions from Counselor’s Guided Reflection
- Co-create 2–3 concrete next steps for college research or applications
- Confirm follow-up plan or additional resources needed
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Navigating Your Values
A guided exploration to uncover the core beliefs that will steer your college and life decisions.
Welcome the student and introduce the purpose of this mini-presentation. Explain that you’ll explore their personal values to guide their college choices.
What Are Personal Values?
Personal values are the guiding principles and beliefs that influence our choices, shape our goals, and reflect what matters most to us.
Define values in your own words, then confirm the student’s understanding. Emphasize that values are stable and shape long-term satisfaction.
Value Categories
• Achievement (e.g., success, recognition)
• Relationships (e.g., trust, empathy)
• Creativity (e.g., innovation, self-expression)
• Security (e.g., stability, safety)
• Adventure (e.g., spontaneity, challenge)
• Learning (e.g., growth, curiosity)
• Health (e.g., wellness, balance)
• Service (e.g., community, impact)
Read each category aloud. Ask the student to notice which broad areas resonate most. Offer clarifications or examples as needed.
Sample Values to Consider
Achievement: ambition, excellence, leadership
Relationships: loyalty, compassion, connection
Creativity: originality, curiosity, vision
Security: reliability, preparedness, order
Adventure: exploration, spontaneity, courage
Learning: knowledge, mastery, insight
Health: wellness, vitality, balance
Service: generosity, justice, stewardship
Encourage the student to silently scan this list and mark any values that catch their attention. Remind them there are no right or wrong answers.
Reflect & Select Your Top 5
• Review the sample values and categories.
• Choose the five values that resonate most with you.
• Write each value down and note what it means personally.
Guide the student through the selection process. Provide the Value Prioritization Chart after this slide.
Discussion Prompts
• “Why does this value matter to you?”
• “Can you share a time you lived by this value?”
• “How might this value guide your college experience?”
• “Which values feel most challenging to uphold?”
Use these prompts during discussion to deepen insight. Listen actively and ask follow-up questions.
Script
Counselor’s Guided Reflection Script
1. Introduction & Goal Setting (5 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Hi [Student Name], thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. This is a safe, confidential space where we’ll talk about what matters most to you as you prepare for college. My goal is to help you uncover your personal values, see how they connect to your future goals, and leave with a clear plan for next steps. Does that sound good to you?”
Pause for response.
If student hesitates:
• “You might share what you’re excited or curious about when you think of college.”
• “Or you could tell me any worries you have about choosing the right school.”
Follow-up prompts:
• “Can you say more about that?”
• “What about that feels most important right now?”
2. Values Exploration Prompts (10 minutes)
Teacher says:
“I’m going to share a few slides from Navigating Your Values. These will help us look at different categories of personal values—things like achievement, relationships, creativity, security, and so on. Let me know if any of these stand out to you.”
Show slide: “Value Categories.”
Teacher asks:
“Which categories or specific values here grab your attention? Feel free to point to words or phrases that resonate.”
Pause for student to scan and mark values.
When student shares top picks:
• “Why does that value matter to you?”
• “Can you tell me about a time in your life when you lived by that value?”
• “How might that value show up in your college experience?”
3. Values Prioritization Discussion (10 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Great. Now let’s put those top values in order. Here’s the Value Prioritization Chart. Write your five values and then rank them from one (most important) to five (least important of your five).”
Pause for student to complete chart.
Teacher prompts:
“Tell me about value #1—why is it at the top of your list?”
Follow-up:
• “How would you feel if that value was missing or unmet during your time at college?”
• “What might you look for in a school or program that supports this value?”
Repeat for values #2 and #3 as time allows.
4. One-Minute Vision Journal (10 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Now let’s imagine your ideal college life through the lens of your top value. You have the One-Minute Vision Journal. I’ll set a timer for one minute. Write freely—don’t worry about grammar or spelling—just get your vision down on paper.”
Start one-minute timer.
When timer ends, ask:
“Would you like to share any part of what you wrote?”
Follow-up:
• “What stands out most to you?”
• “How did it feel to picture college life that way?”
5. Reflection & Action Planning (10 minutes)
Teacher asks:
“Let’s look back at your chart and journal. What insight surprised you the most today?”
Pause for response.
Teacher prompts:
“Thinking about those insights, what are two or three concrete steps you can take this week to explore colleges or programs that align with your values? For example, visiting a campus, talking to current students, or researching majors.”
Student lists steps.
Follow-up:
• “On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about completing these steps?”
• “What obstacles might come up, and how can you address them?”
6. Closing & Next Steps (Remaining Time)
Teacher says:
“Thank you for your honesty and effort today. I’ll send you a follow-up email with any resources we discussed and our next meeting date. Remember, your values are your inner compass—keep checking back in with them as you make decisions. I’m here to support you every step of the way.”
End session.
Worksheet
Value Prioritization Chart
Instructions: Write your top five values below. Rank them from 1 (most important) to 5. For each value, explain why it matters to you.
| Rank | Your Value | Why This Value Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ________________________________ | ________________________________________________________________ |
| 2 | ________________________________ | ________________________________________________________________ |
| 3 | ________________________________ | ________________________________________________________________ |
| 4 | ________________________________ | ________________________________________________________________ |
| 5 | ________________________________ | ________________________________________________________________ |
Cool Down
One-Minute Vision Journal
Instructions: Grab your journal or a blank sheet. We’ll set a timer for one minute. Write nonstop about your ideal college life—focus on how your top value shows up day to day. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar; let your thoughts flow.
⏱️ Timer starts now—go!
Reflection (after timer ends):
- What phrase or idea stands out most to you?
- How does this vision connect back to your top value?
- How might you seek out experiences that match this vision as you explore colleges?