Four short years ago, you were among the youngest in your school. Now – as a senior – your confidence is stronger than ever. The same hallways you used to get lost in, you can navigate with your eyes closed.
It’s funny how that happens. But it’s a part of life. Next year, you’ll be finding your footing on an entirely new campus. And once again, you’ll be among the youngest of the bunch.
Do the senior blues make you want to enjoy all that high school has to offer while you’re still a student? Or are you just burnt out from the never-ending course loads? Maybe you’re looking forward to the new experiences that college will bring. No matter what’s causing this four-year itch, it’s distracting. And there’s a name for it – senioritis.
If unchecked, senioritis symptoms can lead to falling grades and attendance. But you’ve worked too hard to watch all your efforts wither.
How To Avoid Senioritis
Are you wondering how you’ll keep your grades up in the face of impending change? You know you’ll leave high school soon to enter college. But it may not feel “real” yet. And that is OK!
What’s not ok is to let senioritis get the best of you. So check out our 7 tips to help you finish your high school career strong.
1. Revisit College Campuses Before Making Your Decision
Keep your eye on the prize. To do so, you need to keep your short and long-term goals in mind.
A great way to remember why you’re working so hard is to visit the school(s) you want to attend. Before signing your prospective college’s enrollment contract, visit the school one more time.
Sign up for an overnight stay to get a good feel of what to expect as a college student. Enjoy a meal or two at a campus dining hall. Then, research the housing options available to you. There’s a chance the dorm you toured last year is already full or possibly closed for renovations.
What’s most important is that you get your feet on the ground. Breathe in the campus air and meander through campus. This will help you remember why you chose this school. And it will be a helpful confirmation that you’ve made the right choice.
Contact Bright Futures to learn how we can help you prepare for the college admissions process.
2. Think About Your College Roommate
Do you know who you’ll be living with next year?
If not, don’t sweat it. But you may want to start brainstorming roommate options. Do you have friends or classmates going into a similar field of study at the same college?
Think about what’s important to your living situation. Avoid the partiers and put out feelers for fellow students who share your values. If you plan to attend church in your college town, then it may be helpful to find someone who will do the same. Or would you prefer someone who will join you for morning runs?
Keep in mind that intentions only go so far. You won’t be able to control your roommate if they don’t live up to the expectations you’ve set forth. We’re all human, after all.
Furthermore, don’t dismiss your future school’s potluck roommate system. Sometimes total strangers make the best roommates because there is a higher level of respect with less familiarity. Plenty of people have met lifelong friends through being randomly placed as roommates.
At the end of the day, your living situation will be what you make of it. Remember to be kind and forgiving. But set reasonable boundaries and expectations. And whatever you do, don’t isolate yourself.
3. Practice For AP Exams
Senior year is definitely not the time to slow your momentum. You’ve put in so much effort to go into college with credits from AP exams. Not only will this give you a head start, but it will also save you money.
It’s a perfect time to practice for your AP (advanced placement) exams. Like all timed tests, you need to manage each minute wisely. Your Bright Futures counselors recommend picking up Scantrons from a practice test site. (Psss…you can also order them from Amazon.)
What you want to focus on is fully bubbling in answers quickly. We all know that if you don’t bubble correctly, the answer may not be recorded. Additionally, you want to make sure you have good erasers. If you need to change an answer, you don’t want to spend valuable time smudging pencil marks everywhere with the eraser that’s been in your backpack for years.
Too much time spent bubbling and erasing one answer could result in 2-3 questions not being answered. Plus, this will prove to be a valuable skill to take with you into college.
Let the experts help you prepare for your Bright Future. Contact us today!
4. Consider The Weather You’ll Experience In College
As a Houston-based business, many Bright Futures clients are from the Gulf Coast. While it gets cold, we’ve also experienced many typical winter holidays in shorts and T-shirts. If you’re venturing off to a college in the northeast, then you will be in for a chilly surprise.
Do you start bundling up when the temperatures drop to 60℉? Imagine how you’ll feel in 20℉!
It’s time to start planning for the cold winter months of your soon-to-be city. There’s a lot of power in layers, so make sure you are prepared.
Furthermore, don’t think you have to spend thousands to stock your closet. Instead, look for deals online. Venture into thrift stores. Ask your parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and even family friends if they have any warm clothes they’re thinking of donating. There’s a good chance they have ski gear taking up space from a trip years ago.
A decent wool coat will keep you warm and looking sharp. But you’ll also want thermal long sleeves and leggings, scarves, beanies, thick socks, non-slip shoes, and much more. Moreover, look up #coldweatherclothes on Instagram for ideas. You aren’t the first southerner to venture north, so ask for advice and do your research.
5. Continue To Set Goals For Yourself
You took the right classes – check. Then you manifested your incredible resume – check. Now you’ve been accepted into your dream college – check, check!
After four years of staying on top of your game, it’s tempting to sit back and relax a bit. While you have a lot to be proud of and you should reward yourself, it’s important to remain goal oriented.
Need help coming up with new goals? Consider one of these options:
- Enter an essay or project-based scholarship contest
- Commit to one last project with one of your extracurricular activities
- Explore volunteer opportunities in your free time
- Organize study groups with your friends
Goals help build the momentum you will need to succeed as a college student. So don’t be quick to hit your ambition brakes. Instead, continue to explore existing or new interests to keep you focused and moving forward.
6. Remember That Your Grades Still Matter
You may have sent your transcript and already received an acceptance letter. Additionally, your enrollment deposit may have already cleared the bank. But did you know your acceptance is likely contingent on your actual final grades?
Yep. You’ll have to submit a final transcript before your first day of college classes. That means you need to keep your grades up.
If you’re struggling with school, talk to your parents, guidance counselor, or even better – your Bright Futures counselor. Your situation is not new. In fact, it’s pretty common. So ask for help when you need it to ensure you finish strong.
7. Build Momentum For College
Once you’re in college, you won’t have your parents reminding you it’s time to go to bed or asking if you’ve finished your homework. There’s a good chance you have more latitude with those things now as a senior anyways. But the reality is, next year the responsibility will be yours and yours alone.
To prepare for a successful first college semester, start building your momentum now. That means you need to be accountable for your own well-being. Maybe a morning jog clears your mind for the day ahead. Or time blocking your schedule in a way that works best for you is necessary.
Set goals, keep your grades up, manage your time, spend quality time with friends and family, and you’ll have the momentum you need to thrive.
Stay Focused To Avoid Senioritis From Dampening Your Senior Year
Your Bright Futures team is so excited for the experiences you are about to embark on. You’ve worked so hard. While the symptoms of senioritis may be creeping in, you’ve proved that you are strong enough to rise above.
If you need any help during the college admissions process or transition to becoming a college student, Bright Futures is here. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation!
Note: This post was originally published on April 1, 2016 and has been completely revamped for comprehensiveness.