How to Avoid Senioritis

With the semester halfway over, almost all seniors are coming down with senioritis. It’s easy to catch and almost impossible to get rid of, at least in my case. With projects and tests piling up towards the end of the semester, winter break seems entirely out of reach. Here are some tips to help ward off this nasty “disease”.

1.     Keep a planner – A planner can help with time management and guarantees you never miss a due date (well it should anyways). In my case, keeping a planner and writing down assignments and keeping my schedule planned out helped me to easily prioritize my time. I can schedule school and work, and also give myself some free time.

2.     Maintain organization and focus – As difficult as this may seem, it is still important to focus on the last year you have left. We’ve all been focused on graduation for 3 years now and don’t need to give up now that it is finally in sight. When asked about senioritis, a University of Utah ethics professor said, “If students can recognize the onset, then they need to find the necessary mental discipline to overcome it by concentrating even harder on their academic tasks.” You need to make an effort to stay organized. Find a motivator that works and stick to it.

3.     Take care of yourself – While it is important to still focus on your studies, it is equally as important to take care of your body as well. Staying healthy and active throughout the semester can help to motivate you academically. Getting enough sleep can have a huge impact on the rest of your day. Many people, myself included, have pulled all-nighters, but that shouldn’t become a habit.

4.     Make a post-grad bucket list – Even though a lot of us already feeling like we’re “adulting”, I know it will be a whole new world when we graduate. Come up with a bucket list of things you want to do or accomplish once you have the time (and money) after graduation. Work should be a priority in the real world, but you should also allow yourself time for fun and that can be a huge motivator senior year leading up to that.