How to Cure a Bad Case of Senioritis
February 26, 2010 | Natalie
Senior year, second semester. If there was a recipe for trouble I’m sure that would be it. High school students spend four years enduring the equivalent of flaming cannonballs mauling their brain, hoping the neurons don’t explode before the sweet freedom of June graduation. So it’s not exactly surprising that most seniors dodge the unfaltering flames of education during their last semester of mandatory school with an elective packed schedule and a savvy grin that says, “I’m practically holding my diploma already”.
Alright seniors, hold up for a moment. The free ride to graduation theory is great; I’ll admit I’m an advocate. However, there needs to be a line that distinguishes between saving your brain from melting and just plain doing nothing for six months before college. The mind needs activity. I don’t think I need to quote a few scientific studies for you to believe that fact. But for fun: the Mayo Clinic states that many studies suggest keeping yourself mentally active reduces the risk for Alzheimer’s. Not saying that an easy couple of months will cause dementia, just that it’s a good habit to keep yourself thinking to not only to prepare for college but for life.
Imagine that you’ve got yourself out of an academic habit. Second semester is a breeze or you’ve graduated a semester early and won’t be starting college until September. Graduation passes, summer flies by and…Wham! The demands of college courses hit and hit hard. If you’re not used to regulating your time, doing homework, and thinking, it’s going to be a struggle to push yourself back into the academic stream. Now Senioritis really does seem like a disease.
Don’t panic if you’re like me and have opted for a coasting semester to graduation. Just because you’re not in Calculus anymore doesn’t mean you can’t keep your mind active. Apart from the general tips from the College Board, I’ve got a few ideas of my own to keep my mind busy until September.
Idea 1: Tutoring. Tutoring is a great way to keep involved with your school while continuing to go through the motions of learning and reviewing information. Be it helping a middle school student with their homework or volunteering at a local elementary school to read with kids you’ll find that even though you’re the teacher, you’re still utilizing your brain for education. It also gives you a great perspective of where you’re at in your own schooling. For example, I’m tutoring an eighth grader in writing and editing her work helps me reevaluate my own writing and think about the way I learn.
Idea 2: Online classes. Think you’ve run out of important courses offered at your school (a not so unbelievable possibility if you’re like me and your school only has 300 students)? Think again. Your guidance counselor can tell you about the hundreds of online classes you can take from school. Online courses from AP Psychology to Speed Reading can fill up those free periods during the school day and add more credits to your transcript before graduation.
Idea 3: Set Goals. If you’ve landed a schedule with less than demanding deadlines, maybe you should set some for yourself. Want to write a novel? Alright, first chapter due next Friday. Interested in computer programming? Check out “Computer Programming for Dummies” from the library. Have the short film idea of the decade? It’s now or never. The point is that if you have extra time on your hands you should make the most of it. This is the time to explore your interests, start projects, and set goals for yourself.
The ideas could go on: Keep reading, get a job, volunteer…Don’t make your final semester a vacation; it’s your opportunity to create your own learning experience and gear up for the next adventure in your life.
Intersting article. Good writing!