7 Successful Strategies That Will Help You Combat Senioritis

By Meghen Jones

Being a college student has always been rough, but senior year is infamous for taking its toll on students academically, emotionally, and physically. Between meeting your final requirements, applying for graduation, and wrapping up random loose ends, simply labeling senior year as “exhausting” would be an understatement. Although you are mere months away from your graduation day, it’s been difficult to keep it together, because you’re just not feeling as excited about school these days as you used to. Plus, you’ve already begun considering the next chapter of your life, and honestly, you can’t wait to get there!

However, restlessness is a dreadfully common consensus among senior students, whether they’d be in high school or college—like you. It’s so common that there’s even been a term created for the phenomenon: senioritis. You’ve probably heard of it before, but if for some reason you haven’t, senioritis is typically defined as: “a decreased level of motivation towards studies that occurs when students are reaching the end of their educational program.”

Even if you don’t think senioritis is a big deal then, you might want to think again. The cost of senioritis can be quite significant; in fact, it can impact you so greatly that it could even delay your graduation date. Remember, you still have classes you must pass to meet your final requirements, and that’s something you cannot change, even if you’re just plain over it. On that note, there are many reasons to “stick it out” and remain positive, starting with uCribs’ 7 successful strategies to combat senioritis.

Keep your GPA high and your requirements met.

It’s so easy to let grades slip by the wayside when you’re already mentally drained from previous semesters. But, as understandable as these feelings may be, your final semester of college is essentially your last chance to make the grades needed to achieve academic success. Since graduation is right around the corner, you may think that you’re already at the finish line; however, graduation and even post-graduate applications can be rejected if you don’t meet a certain GPA or course requirement. So, buckle down and commit a certain number of hours weekly to studying. You’ll also want to make sure that you are completing all assignments and turning them in on time. In short, don’t allow simple mistakes to cost you the grade. Who wants that, anyway?

Stay involved in as many on-campus activities as possible.

When your college days become the all-too-predictable routine of going to class and your internship – with little room for entertainment – it’s only natural that your zest for university life would die down. At some point, you will need some fun to keep your spirits up and avoid the dreaded senioritis. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix: remaining involved in an on-campus organization. As you already know, universities tend to offer a desirable selection of organizations that range from academic societies to niche interests – classic movie club, anyone? Even if you’re packing up and moving on within the next few months, these activities are the perfect way to enjoy the last of your college experience. Plus, your resume will look better than ever when employers see that you maintained on-campus involvement throughout your final year.

Maintain a healthy diet and fitness plan.

Prior to entering college, you may have heard about the notorious “Freshman 15.” This commonly used expression refers to the amount of weight gained during a student’s first year of college. Unfortunately, though, this phenomenon doesn’t only apply to first-year college students. The Freshman 15 can surprise you at any time, especially during your senior year, when you have little motivation to do anything besides sleep and snack. If you haven’t done so already, consider adopting a solid fitness regimen to aid with weight loss, reduce stress, and improve your mood and memory—all of which are important to a successful senior year. Trust us, setting new health goals or continuing to adhere to old ones goes a long way in helping prevent senioritis.

Make a daily checklist and stick to it.

Goals… goals… and more goals! It seems like all you ever have your mind wrapped around is your endless to-do list and the resulting goals that accompany it. It’s frustrating when everything from graduation arrangements to overwhelming exit exams is claiming the last bit of sanity you have left and pushing you one step closer to full-blown senioritis. As a seasoned college student, you’re aware that organization is key when there are so many important deadlines to keep track of. So, we encourage you to create a checklist every day in order to stay on top of your tasks. According to a recent study, you are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down – and, last we checked, you’ve got a lot of them, so it’s best to keep them all in order!

Speak with a guidance counselor.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going to the guidance counselor’s office. They are your go-to person for all things school or mental health-related. Guidance counselors help students throughout their educational journey with academics, career paths, and personal or social development. It’s in the guidance counselor’s career description to help struggling students earn their degrees – and, more importantly, your university counselor wants to see you reach the finish line, just as much as you do. So, when senioritis starts to kick in, it’s only fitting that you schedule a one-on-one with your counselor to figure out the right steps to overcome your senior slump. We’re pretty sure that you’ll be glad you sought advice sooner rather than later!

Try to end college on a high note.

Most people only graduate from college once. Even graduate students don’t usually enjoy the same blow-out graduation celebration as their younger selves, and you’d be hard-pressed to find an employer who rolls out the red carpet for every annual milestone. For that reason, we think you should make every effort possible to exit college with a bang. Through good times and bad, you’ve made tons of unforgettable memories and met classmates, who have left an everlasting mark on your life. Don’t let senioritis prevent you from enjoying what’s left of your college chapter. Accept invitations to parties, attend every football game you can, and find fun ways to make even more lifelong memories. There’s no rule saying that you can’t keep the excitement going well into your senior year. And, with graduation right around the corner, we’re sure the real party hasn’t even begun yet!

Remind yourself that you’re almost to the finish line.

When the odds no longer seem to be in your favor, don’t forget to remind yourself that you’re almost to the finish line. Have a research paper that feels impossible to complete? Consider the fact that it’s the last time you’ll ever have to type an MLA-style academic paper again. Are you tired of school commitments that have kept you away from valuable time with family or friends? Remind yourself that, in a few months, you’ll have accomplished a significant goal that you’re sure to be proud of for the rest of your life. Don’t these small reminders make you feel better already? Let’s put it this way: the closer it gets to graduation, the more you’re going to dwell on all those little things that you no longer want to do. Our advice is to keep your eyes on the prize because the end is closer than you might realize.

Senioritis can drag down even the most motivated student. While it’s okay to fall into a senior year slump, it’s how you manage to break through it that counts. As former college seniors, we can promise you that these simple suggestions will help you overcome any case of senioritis and stay on track for yet another (and final!) year of academic success. From prioritizing your physical and mental health to staying active and involved on campus, there are many ways to counteract the effects of senioritis, starting with our tried-and-true suggestions. No matter which route you take, remember not to let the pressure of college life get to you. You’re almost finished, after all!

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