Avoid the Senior Slump: What You Can Still Be Doing While You’re Waiting

Senioritis. The senior slump. Slacking disease. There are many names for it, but it’s a tendency almost everyone is familiar with: As students approach the end of their high school career, they feel a decreased sense of motivation. Their grades slide. They stop participating in extracurriculars. 

It’s an understandable tendency. After months, if not years, of constant pressure, many students feel like they need a break. Having already submitted their applications and, in some cases, received notifications about their acceptance into college, they ask what harm could be done by easing off the gas.

Unfortunately, neither submitting one’s college materials nor even receiving an acceptance letter is the end of a college journey. In this blog, we’ll describe how there’s still important work to be done. The end is in sight, but the journey is not quite over.

Academics Still Matter

The most obvious symptom of “senioritis” is a decline in grades. Students submit sloppy work or stop submitting work altogether.

This presents a significant problem for a few reasons. Most notably because all offers of admissions are conditional. Even after they have been admitted, students must submit their final high school transcripts. Colleges can, and will, revoke their offers if they see conduct that suggests the student will be a poor fit—such as a sudden, precipitous slip in grades, academic dishonesty, or general misconduct.

Complacency has its costs.

More than that, however, there can be smaller, more subtle consequences. Letting grades slip may cause a student to lose eligibility for certain scholarships and honors programs. 

It can also harm students trying to develop good habits for the next phase in their academic career. Being able to manage time, take notes, and stay organized is critical to college success. Slacking off for months can make it much harder to build up the muscle memory to achieve those goals.

After Applications, There’s Still Work To Be Done

Beyond remaining diligent on academics, there is still work to be done on the process of applying for college. While many students will submit their Common App as early as August 1st, opportunities for scholarships extend far beyond this timeline. Students need to remain diligent to find scholarship opportunities through the winter and spring. They will also need to ensure that their FAFSA and CSS Profile remains up to date so they can sustain access to financial aid.

There will also be a need to stay in touch with colleges. Over the next few months, colleges may issue offer letters (some conditional). They may offer students important information on pre-enrollment opportunities or important deadlines for housing and other aspects of college life. Students should keep colleges posted on their achievements (in case it leads to new scholarships) and regularly check emails and portals so that they do not miss admitted student days, virtual events, and opportunities to connect with fellow students.

Finally, this period can be useful for getting prepared. Students during this time may want to start researching housing, meal plans, and orientation schedules so that they can take the best option for them when they become available. By staying up-to-date with information, students can ensure they have a smooth transition to campus life.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun!

While students should try to avoid too much slacking off, there’s no reason why their senior year should not be a fun one. There are opportunities for sports, dances, and community traditions. It is a time of transition and celebration. 

Make sure you give yourself breaks and enjoy the time you have left in college. Be intentional and spend time with friends and family before moving away. Try to celebrate milestones and enjoy your last few weeks before you have to begin your time in college.

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By staying engaged, students can save themselves a lot of stress and missed opportunities. Don’t slump and finish strong. You’re almost to the finish line.

If you’d like help in getting a strong capstone for your high school career, you are more than welcome to contact a Class 101 college advisor for support.