How to deal with ‘senioritis’

You can blame it on burn out, excitement, teenage rebellion, or post-college application celebrating, but one thing's for sure—senioritis is a real epidemic, and its main symptom of slacking off can get out of control. A mild case may not be a problem, as it will likely afflict all high school seniors at some point. Unfortunately, if it goes untreated, senioritis can have a negative effect on your final year of high school and beyond.

Here's how to combat senioritis and keep it from derailing your senior year and future college success.

Remember that senior year counts

Just because college applications will be in by December doesn't mean your choice schools won't keep tabs on your progress. In fact, most schools want to see your final semester transcript to make sure you've performed consistently. Especially if you're seeking admission to a selective program or top-tier school, every semester—even your last one—counts. It's not unheard of for a college to pull back its offer of admission or a scholarship award to be rescinded if a student's performance changes significantly in their senior year.

Carve out some ‘you time’

Even though there are still exams to take and papers to write, this doesn't mean you can't enjoy college-bound excitement and senior year events. By learning to organize your school week so you can juggle admissions deadlines and everyday schoolwork, you can make time to create lasting bonds and memories with your high school friends.

Keep it interesting

The best way to stay focused is to enjoy what you’re studying. If the subject matter interests you, studying won’t feel like a chore. Be strategic about the classes you pick second semester senior year, filling up on subjects and electives that are sure to keep you engaged. If you can choose your own topic for a project or research paper, pick something you enjoy or want to learn more about to help motivate you.

Stay organized

Between finals, college application deadlines, and graduation, senior year can feel like a lot. If you stay organized—breaking tasks up into manageable chunks and dedicating time in your schedule to get it all done—that mountain of work will feel more scalable. If you have a process in place that’s worked for you in the past, great! Otherwise, now is a great time to experiment with new project management tools and apps.

Revisit your end goals

You didn't work hard in school to blow it during the final months of high school. Sure, temptations may come up, such as hearing about carefree senior pals who declare it's "senior skip day," but if you pause to think about it, you'll realize a few hours of fun isn't worth the trouble you could get yourself into academically. Unexcused absences and chronic lateness can come back to haunt your GPA, so keep showing up for class on time. As for homework and studying, slacking off and developing bad habits now will only make it harder to ramp back up when you're a college freshman.

Change your scenery

If your work starts to feel monotonous, it might be time for a change of scenery. Switch things up by heading to the library or favorite coffee shop to work, or form a study group and take turns hosting. Sometimes, a small change in environment is all you need to regain your motivation.

Reach out for help

If you’re struggling to stay engaged in your schoolwork, lean on family, friends, and counselors for help before you get too far behind. Regaining focus and motivation is easier when you’re surrounded by a strong support system. Teachers and counselors are familiar with students dealing with senioritis so don’t be afraid to ask for advice and encouragement.

Take breaks

It may sound obvious, but be sure to take breaks to recharge. All too often, that final, end-of-the-year push makes students feel like they need to “do it all,” which can lead to burn out. No matter the pressure you feel, taking time outs will help you refresh and prime you to do your best work.

Treat yourself

Positive reinforcement works. When you’ve reached an important milestone, reward yourself. It doesn’t have to be a big reward, just something that feels nice to you: a day out with friends, a manicure, or permission to enjoy an activity you love. If you tie all that hard work with something to look forward to, you’re more likely to get it done.

Enjoy the journey

While it might seem like senior year is dragging, it will be over in the blink of an eye. Hang in there. Although it's a lot of work, those fun senior year moments like prom, class trips, and awards nights will be here soon enough. Until then, make the most of your last year of high school before it flies by.

Look at it like this: Being a senior means you're in the home stretch toward the day when you'll earn your diploma and toss your graduation cap into the air. If senioritis tries to rear its ugly head, keep your eye on the finish line and get ready to make a new college start.