How Serious is Senioritis?
“Senioritis” is the tendency for high school seniors to let their excitement about graduation overshadow their commitment to their classes. It’s pretty common and usually pretty benign. But students with a bad case can suffer some serious side effects. Here’s what to watch out for and a few ways to “tame” it.
“Senioritis” is the tendency for high school seniors to let their excitement about graduation overshadow their commitment to their classes. It’s pretty common and usually pretty benign. But students with a bad case can suffer some serious side effects. Here’s what to watch out for and a few ways to “tame” it.
Students who have senioritis typically turn in subpar classwork. They’re convinced they can “afford” to slack off, since they’re so close to the finish line. But some colleges are saying otherwise and are now penalizing seniors whose academic performance may have been affected by senioritis in these (and other) ways:
- Removal from honors program.
Students who’ve been accepted into a college’s honors program must maintain their academic performance or be removed.
- Loss of scholarship dollars.
Merit-based scholarships place a heavy emphasis on GPA. If a student’s GPA slips below standard, he or she could lose scholarships already earned.
- Acceptance letter revoked.
The final high school transcript is the final say so. If a student’s academic performance drastically suffers, the student may be warned, asked for an explanation, or have their acceptance letter revoked.
But there’s good news. Senioritis is a mental battle that can be tamed by practicing the following:
- Finding a healthy balance.
Senior year is the first time many teens are challenged with balancing their personal and professional life. Parents can help teens put their priorities into perspective by allowing them to see firsthand how to properly designate a time for work and leisure.
- Staying motivated.
Sometimes teens just need an extra push. For the teens who feel like they’re not being challenged enough, consider enrolling them in college courses or through programs like dual enrollment. (P.S.: It’ll satisfy their collegiate taste buds too.)
- Understanding “taking it easy” vs. “slacking off.”
Parents have the responsibility of helping their teen put things into perspective and not blow all their years of hard work. Helping teens set boundaries will give them permission to enjoy their last year in high school without slacking off.
Learning to “tame” senioritis will not only equip teens to juggle multiple responsibilities, but it’ll also keep them in good standing with colleges and prepare them for real-world challenges to come.
“I would just encourage them to finish strong. A lot of girls don’t realize that if their GPA drops, in some cases, they can’t rush for sororities.”– Samantha Pieper, counselor at Saint James School
