Seniors, I see you. You’re tired.
You see the finish line, and you think you don’t need to work hard anymore.
You’re considering lightening the academic load that you had scheduled full-on, during Junior year, when college applications were at stake.
But now is not the time to make big changes to your academic schedule.
In my 20+ years as a college counselor, I’ve seen it happen year after year from the students I advise. I’ve also witnessed it in my son, who is also a high school senior at the moment. You want a little relief, and you feel like dropping one class is not a game changer.
But consider this.
College applications are being reviewed with the expectation that you will finish what your transcript shows. In fact, some of you have already been admitted under the assumption of your senior year schedule.
So now is not the time to drop an AP class or give up on Spanish 4. Giving up now could impact your future.
Realistically, I know that there will be a small handful of you who are going to make schedule changes.
What I would say is this: Before making any changes, you should contact all schools you’ve been admitted to and make sure it’s okay.
And for those schools that you haven’t heard from yet, you need to contact them about the change.
You may think that some classes, like electives, which you may be using to fill a spot in the day and are not required for graduation, can be dropped without any consequences, but colleges still need to be notified.
If you were training for the big game of the season, or rehearsing all semester for the big play, would you give up in the last round or act?
The bottom line is this: you should finish what you started. And finish strong.
To help you out, I’ve listed below, five ways to help you deal with senioritis and stay motivated.
5 Ways to Combat Senioritis
1) Set goals to keep yourself motivated
Always begin with the end in mind and set short or long-term goals. Write them down on a piece of paper or sticky note and put them up somewhere that you can see each morning, like the bathroom mirror.
If you’re a visual person, you could use a photo or a motivational phrase.
2) Reward yourself and celebrate your wins
Burnout can happen when you work too hard without breaks or celebrating your wins.
Take notice of all you’ve done so far, and give yourself credit.
Pump your fists in the air or do a happy dance while saying your achievement out loud. This may sound silly but trust me, this will help you stay motivated.
3) Surround yourself with support
You’re definitely not the only student struggling with senioritis, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Reach out to a trusted teacher and/or your academic counselor and explain how you are feeling.
Family, friends, and fellow students can provide much-needed encouragement and help hold you accountable for your goals.
One of the best ways to combat senioritis is to join a study group. You can keep motivated and on track by being around other students committed to doing well.
4) Change things up
Where you study does matter! Try switching up study locations so you can feel re-energized by new surroundings.
Whether a different chair in the same classroom, a different room in your house, a different friend’s house, or even outdoors in the park. Give it a try.
5) Stay healthy and take breaks as needed
When you start feeling bored, frustrated, or overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths and step away from whatever you are doing.
It’s important to take a break to recharge. You can go for a walk, listen to your favorite music, or just close your eyes for a few minutes.
Maintaining your physical and mental health is so important during your senior year. You’ve got a lot on your plate, and it’s easy to start falling into the trap of staying up late, not eating healthy, and not doing enough physical activity.
Aim to go to bed at a reasonable hour, eat a little healthier, and get out and play more with your friends.
Remember, you’ve already come this far, and this is the home stretch – keep it going strong!
Reach Out If You Need Help
For over 20 years, I’ve helped parents and students successfully navigate the overwhelming college application process.
I’ve seen a lot of senioritis and have helped many students overcome this so they can feel recharged and finish the year strong.
Reach out if you need help on this or anything college-related at kim@stoghill.com or click here to schedule a free discovery call.
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