How to Avoid Senior Year Burnout

With your senior year winding down, or being faced with starting your senior year this fall, it’s important to keep your grades up, but also to have a healthy perspective.  Here are a few things to take into consideration to avoid unnecessary stress and burnout in your senior year.

Get Plenty of Sleep This may be the hardest step to follow-- your mind is racing with information on future college living, senior prom, graduation and, most importantly, how to spend your last remaining moments with high school friends and family.  Remember that your body and mind both need plenty of rest to function properly. Not only will lack of sleep add to your stress levels, it can contribute to other health issues, too. Try to get at least six to eight hours of good sleep every night.

Stay on Top of Your Classes You may think that once you are accepted to a college, the school work is over. Wrong! Most colleges will expect to see your final grades and may even rescind their offers of admission if your grades drop dramatically at the end of your senior year. Now is definitely not the time to become a slacker. Be sure you have recorded all important testing dates and have scheduled time to complete all papers and projects due prior to graduation. Attend all classes and maintain your grade point average. You’re almost there, so don’t drop the ball now.

Challenge Yourself Students often feel like the final weeks of school are dragging along. Take this time to challenge yourself. Start volunteering somewhere to stay motivated and engaged. Are you still undecided about your college major? Take this time to find internships or job shadowing opportunities at various companies or organizations to see if something clicks. You may just find your calling!

“Me” Time If you find you are having problems concentrating, sleeping, or are feeling depressed, be sure to take a break. Take a run or go for a walk or try some deep breathing exercises. Just a few moments away from your everyday grind can give you a renewed energy and alleviate some of the stress you are feeling.

Before you know it, graduation will be here and the summer will be flying by. But before you can start the next chapter of your life, you need to make sure you finish high school on a high note. Keep focused on your homework and be sure to prepare for your AP, IB or AICE exams. And one last thing: celebrate your high school successes…you’ve earned it!