Senioritis: Conquering the Temptation to Slack Off in Your Final Year of School
Have you heard about the ailment that hits high school seniors nationwide every year around this time? No, it is not Covid, the flu, or mono but something much more contagious – Senioritis – a condition where high school seniors become complacent and unmotivated, leading to a decline in academic performance.
Senior year of high school is an exciting time for many students. It's the culmination of years of hard work and dedication and marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. As senior year of high school draws to a close, it’s only natural for seniors to switch into autopilot mode after spending the last four years working harder than they’ve ever worked toward their academic future.
Why You Should Avoid Senioritis
Some consequences can arise from slacking off during your senior year. While it may be tempting to coast your way to graduation, it’s important to remember that your last few months of high school still matter.
Even with an acceptance letter, you must take your classes and grades seriously. Although you may have committed to a college, you can only drop classes with direct permission from that college. Colleges expect you to maintain the same grades as when you applied. Colleges will ask to see your final grades from high school. Missing classes from your application or a sudden drop in grades can raise questions for admissions officials.
We know that the end of senior year brings many fun events–prom, graduation, culmination from a club or athletic team, etc. It is important to follow the rules. Disciplinary issues such as misconduct, suspension, or expulsion can negatively impact the admissions offer and follow you well into your future.
Depending on the school and the severity of your problems with your grades or disciplinary issues, colleges have several ways they choose to deal with the consequences of senioritis:
A “we’re disappointed and worried” letter where students will be given a chance to explain the situation and possibly be put on some sort of probation.
A reduction in financial aid, especially if the aid you were to be awarded, is tied to a certain level of academic performance.
In the worst-case scenario, a college can rescind your acceptance.
You should note that college admissions officials understand that we’re all human. If your grades fall during your senior year for reasons such as a difficult class or situation, you should get ahead of this situation and contact the admissions office to share your story.
Another reason you should continue to push yourself in your senior year coursework, is to gain momentum for college. Have you ever taken a long break from a hobby you loved, only to return to it and find it challenging to get back into the swing of things? Your academic momentum works the same way. It’s normal and almost expected for you to enjoy your last summer between high school and college. However, the real problem arises when you set yourself to ‘summer mode’ during your final semester in high school. If you get into the practice of taking your education seriously, keeping up with your study schedule, and finding ways to keep school exciting, you can carry your momentum with you into your first year of college. If you start slacking off early, you’ll find yourself starting over with your academic habits at square one and adjusting to all the new changes that college brings.
Fighting Senioritis
To avoid senioritis and maintain your academic success during your final year of high school, consider the following tips:
Set goals for yourself: Setting goals is a great way to stay motivated and focused. Set achievable goals for yourself and work towards them throughout the year to help you stay on track and give you a sense of purpose.
Stay organized: Make sure to continue to keep track of assignments, due dates, and deadlines. Use a planner or digital calendar to keep yourself organized and avoid missing important deadlines.
Stay engaged in your classes: Participate in discussions, ask questions, and make an effort to learn and understand the material. Besides finishing the semester strong, some of the material may be pertinent to your college courses.
Challenge yourself: Don't settle for mediocrity. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can help you stay motivated and engaged. Challenge yourself to take on new and complex tasks, whether a challenging course or an extracurricular activity.
Stay healthy: It's easy to fall into unhealthy habits during your senior year, such as staying up late and eating junk food. However, it's important to prioritize your health. Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a balanced diet.
Reach out for help: If you struggle with motivation, reaching out to your peers, family, and counselors can be a great way to locate the underlying issues. Counselors know what it’s like to be in your shoes. Be honest about your feelings and reach out for help before you get too far behind.
A good way to remind yourself of your hard work and original goals is to keep a copy of your acceptance letter to college somewhere where you’ll see it every morning. Reminding yourself of the rewards of all your hard work and that poor decisions or subpar performance can jeopardize these rewards is a great way to refocus your mindset around the last year of high school.
Thankfully, by building healthy habits and reaching out, you can fight back against senioritis.
This fight is essential to your success in your final semester of high school and leading into college. A positive outlook will set you up for success, whereas a senioritis and “get me out of here” mindset has the potential to sabotage all your hard work.