Over the next few months, an epidemic will sweep through the halls of many high schools. Most of you will get a mild case, but a few unfortunate souls will be hit hard. I’m not talking about N1H1 or this year’s flu crisis; it’s that age-old disease called senioritis! You may have already seen the symptoms popping up in other students, such as difficulty concentrating in class or staying awake during the day. Some of your friends may have already played the ‘sick card’ and taken a day off from school. Beware, these symptoms are highly contagious and can lead to several bad side effects, such as loss of scholarships or college placement. The good news is that it’s not too late to protect yourself from this dreadful disease; you just have to follow these simple tips to safeguard yourself from falling prey to this year’s bout of senioritis.
1. Take Care of Yourself
The easiest way to catch a case of senioritis is by overdoing things. If you take on too many classes, extracurricular activities and/or volunteer work, when will you have time to sleep? Moderation is the key. Be sure to use a planner to schedule your homework, practices, social activities and other events. Don’t forget to pencil in time for exercise, meals and most importantly, sleep! Keeping yourself physically and mentally fit will help reduce the risk that senioritis takes a hold of you over the next few months.
![Stay Motivated]( "Stay Motivated")
2. Stay Motivated
Now that you have submitted your college applications, it can be all too easy to sit back and just wait for your acceptance letters. Many seniors become so satisfied with their achievements that they make no effort to improve themselves. Why not challenge yourself by trying something new? You can join a campus club or perhaps learn a new skill. It’s also important to remember that colleges will be reviewing your grades again before you graduate, so keeping your grade point average at or above its previous level would be wise. It’s not uncommon for a college to rescind financial aid offers or even admission offers if your grades slip too far below what they were when you applied. Now is not the time to be slacking off and skipping class.
3. Keep Your Eye on the Prize
Consider creating a motivational wall or corkboard to help you keep your eye on the prize. Pin up pictures of the college you plan to attend, scholarship award letters and other items that remind you why it’s important to stay on track and keep working. Knowing which deadlines are looming, such as submitting financial aid or housing applications, can also help keep you focused on the future. It can be tempting to let things slide, especially if you have already received your acceptance letter, but remember, nothing is set in stone yet.
The last few months have no doubt been overwhelming, especially with college essays and scholarship applications to complete, but it would be a shame to have all your hard work go to waste. As the temperature starts to rise and you start counting the days until graduation, fight the temptation to skip class or homework assignments; you’ve come too far to let senioritis derail your plans. For now, stay the course and wait for summer to let loose and celebrate.