How to Deal with Senioritis
Senior year is an exciting time.
As a high school senior, you’re a leader and mentor for underclassmen. You’re attending school dances and football games for the last time. You’re entering adulthood, a chapter in life that requires greater responsibility but also provides greater freedom.
However, we recognize that senior year is not always filled with sunshine and rainbows. Feelings of excitement and anticipation can be overshadowed by stress, exhaustion, and fear. It’s understandable to have conflicting feelings in such a transformative period of your life. But no matter what emotions you’re dealing with, there’s a chance you might be experiencing something known as senioritis (and we’re all susceptible to it). In this blog, we’ll show you how to deal with senioritis.
What is Senioritis Anyway?
Senioritis is characterized by a lack of motivation and worsened academic performance as students undergo their senior year of high school. This often leads to declining grades and poor attendance.
Here are some common senioritis symptoms that you may have noticed in your own life:
School seems pointless to you.
You don’t care about your grades as much as you used to.
You feel fatigued.
You're bored in your classes.
You're skipping homework.
You’re skipping class.
Whether you’re experiencing all of these symptoms or one or two, you’ve likely been inflicted with a bout of senioritis. Here’s some great news: senioritis isn’t permanent. There are ways to attack and cure this “illness.”
10 Tips to Help You Overcome Senioritis
1. Recognize the issue
Although senioritis affects thousands of students every year, it’s not something that should be dismissed as insignificant. Senioritis can take a toll on your mental health. The “I give up” mindset that you feel towards school worsens your self-esteem and perception of life. You can only overcome senioritis if you understand that shifting your mindset will induce greater optimism and happiness. The fact that you’re reading this blog right now means you’re off to a great start.
2. Ask yourself—why do I feel this way?
Maybe, you’re so focused on college and your career after high school that you’re forgetting your current high school-related priorities. On the flip side, not caring about high school may be your way of suppressing the intense anxiety and nervousness you feel about the future awaiting you. A moment of self-reflection will allow you to understand and then change your behavior.
3. Acknowledge your hard work
Throughout the past twelve years, you’ve learned algebraic equations, studied for exams, improved your reading comprehension, and grown your communication skills. These aren’t easy tasks. You’ve accomplished these tasks because you're driven and intelligent—why stop trying now?
4. SET AN ACADEMIC GOAL
Goals can stimulate your motivation. Academic goals don’t have to be grade-related (although they absolutely can be). For example, you might’ve always wanted to be a stronger writer but never had the time to focus on this. Senior year is the perfect opportunity to finally hone your writing ability.
5. SET A NON-ACADEMIC GOAL
When you’re feeling unmotivated, it’s important to incorporate positive feelings into your life. One goal that can help you achieve this is committing to at least one act of self-care every day. Another goal is making a greater effort to reach out to your loved ones. By making life enjoyable, you can reignite your enthusiasm to learn and succeed.
6. LOOK AT LEARNINGS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH
Whether you’ve already committed to a 2-year community college, 4-year university, or trade school, you’re probably feeling relieved that you don’t have to try in high school anymore. However, school isn’t about maintaining your GPA to impress college admissions officers. The knowledge and critical thinking skills you obtain in school will help you in whatever career path you choose. So we encourage you, as a senior, to immerse yourself in your last high school classes.
7. REWARD YOURSELF
Although you should work hard as a senior, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun and reward yourself too! You deserve it. Having a balance between schoolwork and leisure activities can actually help you avoid burnout and boost your energy.
8. TALK TO YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM
Senioritis is a term that’s often used lightheartedly, or as a joke. However, it’s a problem that can be tough to deal with. When you’re struggling with senioritis symptoms, talk to your friends, family, counselor, or teachers. If you’re finding it hard to motivate yourself, your supporters can guide you in the right direction.
9. REMEMBER THAT SENIOR YEAR MATTERS
Perhaps, you’ve received passing grades your whole life, so the idea of failing to graduate seems strange. But if your grades drop in your last semester of high school, you can jeopardize your chance of graduating. Your college offer could also be rescinded. Basically, one semester can make a difference.
10. LIVE IN THE MOMENT
You’ll never get your senior year back, so make the most of it! Appreciate teachers, friends, student clubs, and school activities. When you wake up in the morning, remind yourself of these precious things, and use them as motivation to fully embrace your senior year.
Final Thoughts on Senioritis
We hope that you can apply these tips in your own life. Remember—senioritis is just a small setback. You’ve made it to this point in life for a reason. With the confidence, strong work ethic, and determination that we know you have, you’ll get back on track in no time.
However, you don’t have to go through senior year alone. If you want extra guidance, check out UPchieve’s free college counseling!