Are you a freshman dreading the next four years of high school? Or are you a sophomore taking practice SATs in order to prepare yourself for next year? Maybe you’re a junior who has started going on several college tours in preparation for your final year? Or perhaps you’re a rising senior who is most likely in the midst of applying to colleges with an imaginary countdown inside of your mind leading to graduation.

Even though I had minor symptoms throughout my junior year, the widely spread phenomenon of “senioritis” hit me with full force once I entered my last year of high school. Trying to balance out the college application process, work, clubs and afterschool activities can be time-consuming. Other than that, it’s also important to enjoy your senior year by hanging out with friends and participating in social events. However in the midst of all the activities, school work may start to fall short on your ‘to-do’ list. You’re probably wondering whether or not there is a cure for senioritis? Unfortunately the only cure is graduation. However in order to reach graduation being fully satisfied with your senior year, you must create your own cure.

A lot of people say things along the lines of, “After you’re done applying to college, that’s it”, “Last two terms do not matter” or “What’s the point of doing work once I have been accepted to college?” Well the truth is that the last two terms do matter. Colleges do notice if your grades plunge from straight A’s to straight D’s in a matter of weeks. It may not matter as much if one or two of your grades slip but regardless of whether or not it’s important, keeping a steady work habit will prepare you for the years to come throughout college.

As I wrap up my senior year, I realize how hard it is to avoid senioritis. However I also learned different ways to avoid things that could have gotten in the way of my grades. Below are some tips I used to stay focused.  I hope you’ll find them helpful.

1. Be organized and plan ahead. Make sure that you know the deadlines of all your college applications. Take an hour or two every other day to work on your college applications. The best tools to stay organized and stay on top of any deadlines is your agenda book, planner, or calendar. Note the times of all your activities and clubs and make sure you have a designated time every day that you can devote to your school work.
2. Don’t make your senior year all about your college application. A good portion of your senior year will be dedicated to applying to college. However you don’t have to use all of your free time to do this. If you manage your time well, you should still have time to do the things you like to do, such as hang out with friends. By doing the things you enjoy, you can decrease your stress which can help you focus.
3. Senior year is a rollercoaster of different emotions that range from being sad, excited, nervous, stressed and happy. It’s important to talk about how you’re feeling with your friends, parents, guidance counselors or any adult whom you trust and respect. It’s normal to feel scared of the changes that will be happening next year, but just remember that you’re not alone. You have hundreds of classmates who will be going through similar feelings as well as adults in your life who remember when they were in high school. Therefore it’s important to talk to others who understand what you are going through and who are there to support and guide you throughout your senior year.
4. Last but certainly not least, have fun. Senior year will be the most challenging yet rewarding year of high school. All the hard work that you put in during 9^th through 11^th grade has finally paid off and now it’s time to reward yourself. Make the most out of your senior year and enjoy it as much as you can.

 – Monica