By Hannah Lickley | Writer
June 11, 2015
Graduation quickly approaches as the class of 2015 tries to cement their legacy but I stopped to question: “How am I going to survive another year of school, when as a junior, I already can’t wait to graduate?”
June 9, 2016. Less than one year away, the date marks the day when the class of 2016 will take the stage and graduate!
As defined in the Urban Dictionary, Senioritis, a noun, is a crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as graduation.
We have all heard of someone suffering from this debilitating disease. We all laugh and think it’s commonplace and acceptable. However, we need to remember that our grades, our attendance, and our attitude will continue to define and pave the course for our future.
Yes, June 9, 2016 is the day we have worked towards for the past four years, and it will be a day of celebration, however, let’s do it without being categorized as your typical senior with “senioritis.”
One of the first things we need to do to prevent this disease is to recognize the signs and to plan ahead. Hopefully this won’t require an intervention from our family, our friends, our teachers or our counselors.
Here are 5 steps to help you avoid “senioritis”:
- Stay Focused
Instead of focusing on why you shouldn’t have to be in high school anymore, focus on why you should. The same work ethic that you close out with your senior year will be the one that you carry on to college, and it’s important to end on the right foot. A SCHS 2014 graduate quoted, “my best year focus wise and grade wise, was my senior year. Although I look back and wish that I had that same drive during my first 3 years in high school, my commitment to my senior year helped me prepare for college. My improved grades my senior year helped with my college admissions. Maybe I was a late bloomer. But I guess better late than never.”
- Stay Organized
Organization is another factor that will help you avoid senioritis. Typically, when seniors fall behind on their schedule, things begin to go downhill. Keep up with all that you have to do by staying organized!
Start using a calendar. Whether that is a hard copy that you can write in or one in your smart phone, start adding important dates to it now. Know when the next SAT/ACT tests are scheduled. Know the deadlines for the college admissions process and when applications are due. Know when senior prom is so you can start shopping for the next best dress. These are all small details that will keep you organized and feeling less stressed.
- Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Graduation, for the Class of 2016, is now less than 1 year away. Yes, it may seem all down hill from here, but if you look at it from the point of view that you have to pass in order to graduate, it makes focusing on your grades a lot easier.
- Remember All the Hard Work
You cannot let 12 years of academic struggles and all of your hard work go to waste simply because you are now tired of being at school. All those hours studying and all the time in class is not worth wasting simply to get lazy at the end of your final year.
And finally, remember:
- Colleges Can Change Their Minds
A college still has the option to change its mind regarding your acceptance. If your grades drop or if your academic performance is not consistent with what it was at the time of your application, your acceptance isn’t guaranteed. Things can change, and senioritis will play a negative role in this situation.
So Class of 2016… here we go! Let’s embark on an amazing journey during our senior year. Don’t forget to stop, look around and take in everything the year has to offer.
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