When you hit your last year of high school or college, you probably will experience a bit of senioritis. Senioritis is when someone in their last year of school is ready to be done. It’s more of a social thing and less of an actual diagnosable condition, and it can result in laziness, procrastination and more.
I know that I experienced some senioritis in high school, and I am experiencing it again as a college senior. This time, the senioritis is a bit different. I am not super ready to be done now, but I am having some feelings that I didn’t have four years ago.
In this post, I am going to talk about the differences between high school and college senioritis as well as some tips to get you through it.
High School Senioritis
In high school, my senioritis was motivated by the fact that I was going to turn 18 that following summer, and I knew and was excited about what I was doing after graduation. I had been at the same small high school for four years, with the same teachers, and for the most part the same classmates.
Four years is a long time to do something, and I was ready for a new chapter in my life. I had already started taking college classes online, and I was excited to get into the college life full time. It was time for me to become an adult (sort of).
Once I made the decision on where I would be going to college, everything I was doing in high school seemed kind of pointless. I knew what my next year was going to look like, and I was ready to start that new journey. Finishing out that last semester of high school, even as a part time student, was hard. I was more than ready to be done with everything and to start my college career.
College Senioritis
This time around, things are quite a bit different. For one, I will not be graduating from the college I went to as a freshman; I transferred from a community college to a university. I also don’t have concrete plans established for after graduation. All I know is that I will be moving back home while I start my career.
High school senioritis was fueled by excitement whereas college senioritis has been fueled by not knowing what is next. That can be exciting for some, but my Type A personality is having none of it. I don’t always like not knowing what I will be doing or where I will be living in the next year. Plans calm me.
As a college senior, I am doing everything I can to have an awesome last semester. I lucked into an amazing schedule which I take advantage of every day. One of my goals for this semester is to not just let it fly by, to treasure the moments I have left. I spent all of last semester just waiting for winter break, because I was not a fan of one of my required classes. That has changed.
Tips for Seniors
These tips are for any senior, college or high school.
Live in the Moment
In a few months, your time in school will be over. You and your friends will go your separate ways, and while you have texting and social media, it will be harder to stay super close. So, make sure you enjoy every minute you spend with your friends. Make some awesome memories!
Don’t Worry Too Much
Whether you have decided where you will be/what you will do next year, don’t worry. If you are unsure of your decision, you can always make a change if things don’t work out. If you have yet to make a decision, remember you still have time.
Take Things as They Come
Maybe you are denied admission to your dream school or you can’t find any jobs you want. Take some time to be sad, but know that there are other opportunities out there for you. It sucks to see a wrench thrown in your plans, but something else will come along. It might even be better.
Everyone Goes Through It
If you are stressing out about the future, odds are others are too. Talking to your friends can help ease both of your minds, because you are reminded that you are not alone. It’s hard to face now, but time will help as well as talking to people who have been there.
So…
Have you had senioritis? What tips do you have for graduating seniors? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter (@HannahHaefele)!
Thanks for reading!