It is safe to say that most of Class of 2022 has been struck with senioritis. I know because I have it and a lot of people I spoke too, agree that they have it. There’s something about being in your last year of school, that senioritis sets in. For example, I don’t feel motivated enough to be in school. We haven’t been in school for almost a year and a half and it has been hard to adjust to being in the school building every day. I had become accustomed to rolling out of bed and turning the computer on. Now, I have to get up earlier for school, find clothes to wear, and get take the bus to get to school on time.
Of course, Seniors want to graduate on time, but there is no motivation. Everyone is tired all the time and no one wants to do work; I know I don’t. When I come to school, I feel drained. School is not fun to me, it’s rather boring, and it is the same thing every day. Honestly when I get to school I just want to leave and the day feels so long.
I spoke to a few Seniors about their feelings and thoughts of being back to in-person learning. I found that most Seniors who have been here since freshman year, feel that almost everything has changed since they were last in school. Things are not the same. We have been home for about 2 years and it is a challenge for us to adjust to returning to the school building, having to wake up earlier, and considering time and travel to school. Things would be different if we had more time to make the adjustment back to in-person learning. One solution might have been to start in-person school in January, or have two days of remote instruction and three days of in-person learning. Having more time to prepare would have be helpful.
Now that this is our reality, here are some things we can do about it. According to Stefanie Weisman of College Countdown, here are 8 tips to combat Senioritis.
1. Remember that grades still matter.
You may think that once the acceptance letter arrives, you’ve got it made. But universities do look at your final grades, and if there’s a significant drop they may question whether you’re ready for college. They can put you on probation, reduce financial aid, or even rescind their offer—so don’t give them a reason to second guess their decision!
2. Think of yourself as a college-student-in-training.
For most students, college is a lot more academically challenging than high school. You’ll need top-notch study skills to succeed in your classes, so use this last semester of high school as a training ground for your first term of college. Now is the time to fine-tune your note-taking, work on time management, become a grade-A studier, and refine your writing skills. If you improve your techniques now, you’ll be ahead of the game when college starts.
3. Nix bad habits before they start.
Once you fall into a slacker mentality, it can be hard to get out. We all know how difficult it is to get back into the swing of things after a long summer vacation. Don’t make it harder by slacking off during your senior year, too!
4. Focus on earning college credit.
If you're taking Advanced Placement or other college-level classes, you may need a certain grade or test score to get college credit. Doing well in these classes can help you place into more advanced courses, graduate early, and spend less on tuition—all very good things. (Check with your future school about its requirements.) Studying hard now can make a big impact on your college career.
5. Keep yourself challenged and stimulated.
Many students struggle with boredom in their final year of high school, making it hard to stay motivated. To avoid this situation, try rounding out your schedule with courses that interest you. Consider taking classes in subjects you’ve never tried before, or choosing electives in your favorite subject. This will help you stay focused and may give you a head start on choosing a major. Getting an internship or a job, or participating in an extracurricular activity can also give you a renewed sense of purpose.
6. Set specific goals for yourself.
The clearer your goals are, the easier it is to maintain your motivation. Write down your goals for this semester, and be specific about how you're going to achieve them. For example: What grades do you want in each of your classes? Do you need a specific GPA to maintain a scholarship or financial aid? What skills do you want to improve on before heading off to college?
7. Take it one day at a time.
As a high school senior, you’re probably spending a lot of time thinking about the future—it may seem like high school’s already a distant memory. However, it’s important to stay focused on the here and now. Use a day planner or calendar or create to-do list to keep track of your responsibilities and break up large projects into manageable tasks. Concentrate on doing your homework, completing projects, and studying for tests. And after all that is done, go ahead and spend a little time fantasizing about your life as a college student.
8. Last but not least, have fun!
After all, you’ve worked hard to get into college, and you deserve to treat yourself. Make sure to set aside some time to hang out with your friends, go to social events, and do other fun stuff. Just don’t make the mistake of treating senior year as one big party.
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