Senior year of college certainly is an exciting time as you prepare to start the next chapter of your life. However, with senior year comes good old senioritis. Senioritis kicks in when you’ve lost all motivation and you’re in what seems to be a slump. All you want to do is cross that finish line, but not do all the work that will get you there.
According to U.S. News, here are some of the best ways to overcome senioritis.
First, do not let senioritis get the best of you. Classes still need to be attended and assignments still need to get done. So, set aside some time to relax and take care of yourself. If you eat breakfast to nourish your brain and find time to hit the gym, you will mentally stay on track.
No more staying up all night either. If you have a lot to do or an important exam, get things done throughout the day. Homework can easily be done between classes or while you eat lunch.
Plan on going to the gym? Bring something to study, like notes or your textbook. If you know you are going to be on the elliptical for 30 minutes, use that time to learn and memorize things. And if you don’t, stay on that machine until you do.
Joseph Coyle PhD., Department Chair of Mathematics, said, “I think that senioritis is difficult to overcome mainly because you are typically surrounded by others that have it as well.”
“As far as advice I would suggest to, in some sense, embrace the feeling and focus on the transition from Monmouth. This may be in the form of looking for a job, applying for graduate school, or something you may not have thought of before. It also helps to let your instructors know your motivation is starting to decline. Most of the faculty have gone through the same thing. They can be more attentive to your circumstances,” Coyle added.
Robert Zadotti, a senior English student, said, “Being a college senior is a lot different than being one in high school – there’s a lot less romanticism about leaving school. It can feel like you’re on the high dive waiting to jump, so many people choose to distract themselves. Whats important is walking the line between self-care, keeping relaxed, and not burning yourself out with work and stresses about college and the world beyond.”
Senior communication student, Kayla Cardona, knows senioritis all too well since this is her last semester. She believes that senioritis affects everyone differently, depending on what kind of student they are.
“I can personally admit that it has affected me to some degree. I’m so anxious to graduate that the thought of assignments and last minute projects can be extremely stressful,” Cardona said.
Carly Miller, a senior homeland security student said, “I procrastinate so much that I sometimes forget what I say. It’s gotten tha bad in the semester.”
For upcoming seniors, Cardona offers this advice: “Keep pushing to finish off strong! I know that being lazy is such a tempting option, but putting in the hard work will certainly be rewarding.”
It is important to keep pushing and get motivated, which U.S. News also says. Instead of letting senioritis affect you in a negative way, turn it into a positive by looking forward to what’s next. Perhaps you’ll decide on grad school or you’ll land your dream job. Use that as motivation to do your absolute best during senior year.
Senior health studies student, Hayley Bray, said, “I feel like a lot of times, I can get into a bit of a slump as far as ‘senioritis’ goes. But, I also find that once I am able to recognize that I’m in a slump, I get motivated.”
“As soon as I am able to see I’m slacking a little in some area of my life, I immediately remind myself to look at the bigger picture and that the finish line is so close,” Bray added.
Recent Monmouth graduate, Jimmy Fanizzi, did experience senioritis but it is important to keep it in the back of your mind.
“Senioritis can affect someone’s performance in class but it shouldn’t, that’s the key. Just don’t think about it too much and do your assignments as you normally would. Senioritis will hit you eventually, but don’t let it hit too early so it won’t affect your grades,” he said.
With that being said, look forward to what’s coming next, but don’t let that excitement keep you from crossing the finish line.
You might be over college, but college isn’t over just yet. You’ve made it this far and you can make it all the way.
PHOTO TAKEN by Nicole Riddle
