Chicken Soup for the Senioritis-Soul

Tips for staying on track as seniors approach graduation

Photo+Illustration+by+Ashley+Rice

Photo Illustration by Ashley Rice

Ashley Rice, Staffer
April 25, 2014

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With the end of another successful school year comes the mad potato sack-dash to finish strong. With the signing of senior contracts earlier this month, students focus on the end of their high school careers. But, it seems much of the senior class has developed a rare case of senior sniffles. While many students are slowly recovering, some are still bedridden with the common “end of the year” congestion known as senioritis. Senioritis, a supposed affliction of students in their final year is, essentially, a lack of motivation.

Students on a daily basis have many obligations to manage like school work, part-time jobs, after-school activities and home life.  This time of year, however, they fall subject to laziness and are consumed by procrastination, never getting around to the importance of academics. Many kids think to themselves, “Hmm.  .  .   I’ll just worry about this later.” Do these tasks ever get finished?

Symptoms of this highly contagious non-illness include missing or late assignments, constant procrastination, lack of motivation, excessive sweat-pant-wearing, and a generally dismissive attitude. The problem is, regardless of a senior’s grades going into eighth semester, imagine what a full semester of inactivity will do to a mind.   These kids will be going to college with rusty studying skills and dusty work ethics.

Senior Sarah Fairfield said, “[Senioritis] makes it a lot harder on keeping your grades up.”

Fairfield agrees that it is better late than never to turn in assignments. So many students decide to merely skip classes or never hand in homework. Those are not skills for achievement.  And, the student handbook agrees, reminding students that some points are better than no points.

“Senioritis to me, is like dangerous procrastination or worse, because it’s doing nothing at all,” senior Javon Johnson said.

According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) some tips for avoiding senioritis are:

1. Plan ahead- Make use of calendars and day planners for upcoming test and quizzes. This is good for staying focused and well organized.

2. Don’t obsess- Remember the here and now moments, and engage in activities that are stress relieving, not adding. Get assignments done in a timely manner, so you do not become overwhelmed.

3. Talk about it- Smoky Hill has a great Post Grad center, with many advisors willing to lend a ear and help students through these times of tough decisions. With lots of fear and excited anticipation, it is good for seniors, or any student, to find a consoling shoulder to cry on.

4. Have fun- Celebrate your senior year! Get motivated and finish strong.