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Don’t catch senioritis your final year of high school! These tips will help you stay the course so you can start your college experience without a hitch.


It’s a battle (almost) as old as time itself- how do you stay motivated when senioritis is nipping at your heels?

While it could be tempting to slack on your responsibilities after committing to a college, don’t fool yourself into thinking that there are any benefits to it. Set yourself up for long-term success by not succumbing to senioritis and remaining motivated during your senior year.

Remember: Your Final Transcripts Still Count

If there’s one thing you should consider on this list, it’s that your last high school transcript can still impact your college decisions. This is particularly true regarding scholarships and financial aid, which are the last things you want to put in jeopardy. It’s also not unheard of for colleges to rescind offers to students after receiving their abysmal final transcripts.

Senioritis Is Only a Name

Just because there’s a name for it, doesn’t mean senioritis has to be real! Don’t give in to the senioritis hype or let yourself be defeated the first time you’re hit with apathy, procrastination, or lack of motivation. The ebb and flow of these feelings are normal, especially during your senior year, but they don’t have to set the tone for the rest of your time in high school.

Stay Healthy

Your mental health can be influenced by your physical health, so keep up with or develop healthy exercise, eating, and sleeping habits. It’ll be easier to stay on top of your tasks and not fall behind if you take care of yourself. So don’t stay up too late marathon-ing Netflix shows or start having pizza for every meal.

Get Organized

Managing your time between school, work, extracurricular activities, and your social life can be demanding – especially as the school year winds down and you’re tempted to shift your focus away from that area. Use a planner to remain involved yet balanced in all the important aspects of your life.

Set Goals

While you’re getting organized, be sure to set goals for yourself to give you something to work towards. Have a big test coming up that you want to ace? Want to brush up on your Spanish by doing an extra credit assignment? Looking to volunteer at the animal shelter on weekends? Having something to strive for, no matter how small, will give you a sense of accomplishment.

Prove Something

Your schooling is a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t want to make it this far and give up in the final stretch. Show how committed you are and that you take your academics and learning seriously by continuing to give your all to classes and responsibilities.

Attend Senior Seminars and Mentorship Programs

If you’re having trouble envisioning your life past high school, consider attending seminars, workshops, and discussions specifically addressed to high school seniors. They’ll help you stay focused those last few months by encouraging you to think of the big picture.

Consider the Future

The fact of the matter is: you’re going to college! It’s a big responsibility and transitioning to the college life will be fun, rewarding, and sometimes challenging. The good habits and mentalities you maintain at the end of this part of your life can transfer to the beginning of the next. So steer clear of senioritis!

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