Shaking Off "Senior-itis"

As a senior in high school, you have reached the peak of several years in education. Years spent doing hard work, following the rules, meeting goals, and attaining student achievement. You are almost there. You are almost ready to walk across that stage and graduate, but all of a sudden, you have hit a major stumbling block during your senior year. You find yourself increasingly bored, your mind wanders during class, and you are unable to focus on anything school related. You discover that you have a terrible case of "SENIOR-ITIS." This case of "senior-itis" has infected your mind, body, and spirit and you just are not able to shake it. What can you do? How can you spend the last few months and weeks of your senior year and make it through to the end?

High Expectations

Do not forget that having high expectations can lead to success. If you are a senior, you obviously have drive, determination, and the desire for accomplishment. Remember that you have a goal to reach and that you must achieve that goal. Sitting back, slacking off, and not trying will only lead to mediocrity in the best case scenario. Set high expectations and work diligently to complete assignments, do homework, and maximize learning. Keep in mind that the knowledge you gain, even during this time, is crucial to future success.

Focus and Discipline

As difficult as it may seem the nearer you get to the end of the school year, you must remain focused and extremely disciplined. Be present at school. When you miss school, you miss out. Be on time. When you are tardy to your academic classes, you again, let pass an opportunity. Do all that you can to avoid student versus teacher conflict. Focus your attention and exhibit the necessary self-control to get your academic goals accomplished. There is nothing more disappointing than the senior who fails to concentrate and remain centered during the last days of senior year and fails to march across the stage with fellow classmates. Instead, the senior finds himself in summer school or returning in the fall to complete work that could have easily been done had they remained focused and disciplined in the first place.

Dedication

I completely understand the excitement of senior year, the joy of the spring season, as well as the challenge of remaining motivated in a high school class. Coupled with the typical distractions of high school life, it is not an easy task to always stay on track. However, you have to be committed to the ultimate goal. In fact, you must somehow break away from that senior sluggishness and center your attention. Be dedicated to your goal of education. Don't give up. Remember to finish what you started so many years ago! Under no circumstances must you quit. Achieve your objective.

Fun

There is an old saying that states that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. This holds very true in high school and you must not forget that your senior year is also meant for some fun as well. Do not allow yourself to get too intertwined with anything or anyone that will cause you to get sidetracked from the goal of graduation. In fact, make it a point to enjoy your senior year to the fullest. During the period when "senior-it is" is prone to attack, be sure you de-stress and turn your attention to an enjoyable spring break. Take full advantage of the senior prom and go see the senior play. Stay involved with any athletic and extracurricular activities. Make the most of your senior year. They are memories that you will treasure.

Safety

A final point that is extremely important is safety. Far more often than I have wanted to experience, I have been presented with tragic situations involving high school seniors. "Senior-itis" often breeds a nonchalant, uncaring, and complacent attitude. Too frequently, this attitude can lead to senior students letting their guard down and participating in risky behaviors. Do not ever underestimate the importance of safety at all times. Practice positive and safe behaviors in all that you do. Refrain from some of the common pitfalls that can befall a senior such as alcohol and drug use, sexual behavior, and unsafe driving habits. Do not ruin your final year of high school by being unsafe.

Your senior year of high school can be so fun and rewarding. It is a major turning point in life and can lead to greater triumphs yet to come. Avoiding senior-itis may be somewhat of a hurdle, but it is a challenge you can certainly handle. Before long, you will be marching to Pomp and Circumstance and holding a new diploma in your hand.