Seven Tips to Fight Senioritis
By: Veronica Cooper-Tucker
With graduation around the corner, the most contagious illness is back in season—senioritis. Symptoms include but are not limited to, loss of interest in classwork, an increase of Netflix streaming, and more commonly, an extreme lack of motivation. Senioritis serves as a recipe for academic disaster for anyone who catches it. To maximize the ultimate success for the last semester of college, here are five tips for successfully fighting senioritis.
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Keep a detailed calendar with important dates.
The end is so near that you can taste graduation, but it’s important to remember that school is not over. The road to graduation requires a sheer amount of preparation. Deadlines are the most relevant part of the coming months before graduation. There will be times when assignments and important senior deadlines collide. Calendars are essential to staying organized! You also want to make sure that you are constantly referring back to the schedule. Investing in a wall calendar may be the best option for maximizing visualization and engagement.
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Plan for what happens after graduation
Graduation marks the end of an era. It is essential to plan for the beginning of a new one. There are plenty of resources on campus to assist you with plans. The career center can provide job assistance and resumé building. Depending on the profession, advanced degrees may be required. An academic advisor can help guide you through the journey of picking programs. No matter the desire, decide before graduation arrives!
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Set specific weekly goals
Don’t allow graduation to be your only goal! Setting weekly and intentional goals create focus. It is important to note that weekly goals are not limited to academics. Lifestyle goals are productive as well. Keep in mind that intention is key. Create goals that are realistic and achievable. After you achieve your weekly goals, consider creating a reward system. Reward systems add an incentive to goal setting. You can choose to enjoy your guiltiest pleasure while getting things done. Active goal setting with a rewards system is a sure way to stay motivated!
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Finish assignments as early as possible
Turning in assignments before the assigned date will keep your academic life on track! Most professors produce syllabi that included assignments with the projected dates for submission. Unless instructed otherwise, start working on tasks ahead of time. The last semester before graduation still calls for students to pass their courses. Senioritis will only distract you from passing. Employ good study habits to ensure that you still make it to graduation!
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Never forget to indulge in self-care.
Taking care of your mental health is the most crucial part of being a student. The moments leading up to graduation can serve as an intensely stressful situation. To avoid extreme and immediate burnout, make time for some self-care. Schedule out some time that is usually free to do things that bring you peace. Take a moment to recharge by listening to music, drawing, or working out. Look into meditating as a new option for relaxation. No matter the method, engage in self-care to maintain a healthy school to life balance.
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Take an interesting elective
Major classes can become extremely intense in the coming months to commencement. Seniors find themselves overwhelmed in stressful 400 level courses in their given majors. Take a class that taps into an undeveloped interest. Every department allows sessions to be taken by students of different majors. It is more likely to be productive in subjects that you find fascinating!
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Surround yourself with “accountable” friends
Friendships are a huge part of the college experience. The best type of friends motivate you to do your best. They also hold you accountable when you are slacking on your potential. Invest in a tight group of friends that will keep you accountable! Utilize group messaging to send future opportunities and due dates. Set meeting times to work on planning for the future with fun activities like creating a vision board. Building stress is inevitable, but you do not have to go through that experience alone. There is a sense of comfort and reassurance that comes from the support of friends in the same situation. Allow yourself to succeed in a group, rather than struggle alone!
