Caileigh Winslade 
If you’re a senior in high school like me, chances are you know the feeling I’m about to describe: you’ve been through three and a half years of school – eleven and a half, really, if you count elementary school – and you know you’re leaving soon. You have a plan for the future, you want to get a job soon, you’ve finished all your testing, and the last thing you want to think about is homework. You feel burnt out and tired, and you just can’t find the motivation to make it through the last few months of classes.
Welcome to senioritis.
The term is mostly a joke, but it’s a real issue that high school seniors face. It’s a time when you’re ready to move on, and you’re so close to the light at the end of the tunnel but you’re tempted to give up with just a few steps left. You stop feeling the need to pay attention in class or do your work, and you’re left with struggling grades right at the finish line.
So, what are some ways to lift yourself up out of the senior slump? Here are some tips.
Set Weekly Goals
Weekly goals are an important way to remind yourself what you need to get done, and not fall behind. It’s common for students with senioritis to stop paying attention to assignments entirely, so when you do start to think about them, you get overwhelmed with not knowing how much has piled up.
So, it’s best to sort things by week. Prioritize the assignments due first. Keep a checklist of things you need to do, or set reminders on your phone. Don’t let yourself procrastinate, because piling everything on at once will only decrease your motivation.
Change Things Up
Sometimes, when we’ve lost motivation to do work, it’s best to give our brains a break from the norm by changing things up. Hillary Smith is an academic advisor at Southern New Hampshire University, and she agreed. She recommended doing work in a place you don’t normally go to, such as a cafe or library, “to get a change of scenery and to eliminate distractions at home.”
If you can’t go somewhere new, maybe change things up in a different way. Listen to new music or organize your desk differently. You can even try exercising beforehand so you’re in a different mindset when you’re settling down to work.
Reward Yourself
It’s always good to reward yourself — and trust me, you’ve earned it. Give yourself a treat at the end of the week. Let yourself go out once you’ve finished your work. And especially treat yourself with breaks. Another SNHU advisor, Abby Tincher, said, “You do actually need breaks and your mind or body crashing is a sign that you may be overdoing it.” Senioritis burnout is from all the hard work you’ve been spending your energy on, and giving yourself breaks helps make sure you’re not overdoing it.
Have A Support System
Having friends to lean on during this time is important. They’re here to remind you of your achievements and help you when you feel stuck. Friends and family can be good motivators for keeping up your grades and keeping you accountable for your work. Also, don’t be afraid to rely on your teachers. Tell them what is going on. Ask them for an extension or extra lesson time if you’re unable to learn the material in class.
Remind Yourself What’s Important
At the end of the day, you have to stay focused on your goals. Remember that you are working hard for a reason. It’s easy to give up at the end, but why risk the last few grades you need? Although rare, colleges can always revoke their admissions and high schools can always keep you back. Don’t let that scare you, though. It’s important to not let the last months of high school wear you down.
And be proud of the work you’ve done so far. Smith says, “Remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place and hang onto that. Be proud of yourself and use that as motivation to carry yourself through graduation.” You’ve come so far, why give up now?
By Caileigh Winslade, Senior, ChiArts
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