Students in their last year of school often experience a lack of motivation towards their courses, which often affects their performance. This condition is often referred to as ‘senioritis’. Of course senioritis is not a real illness, but it can have real effects on students.

Here are some ways to stay motivated during those final semesters:

Use a planner

A lack of motivation can often mean procrastinating and caring less about schoolwork. Planners offer a great way to track and prioritize assignments. When an assignment is completed it can be crossed out of the planner, which can reward and motivate students to get more work done.

In addition, writing work down in a planner encourages students to think about starting assignments sooner. This way they are not working on an assignment at the last minute possibly resulting in a higher grade.

Set goals

Another way to stay motivated is to set goals. These can be short-term goals for the semester, or long-term goals for after graduation. Put thought into the goals you set and make sure they are achievable.

Once goals are set, put them in a place that can be seen easily. Seeing the goals daily will be a reminder to continue to work.

Stay organized

A cluttered room or workspace can distract students from working on assignments and goals. Whether living on or off-campus, an organized room can help students stay on task.

It also helps to have a designated space where work is done. This place should be where school related things are organized, and there are minimal distractions.

Balance school and fun

While savoring the last semesters by doing fun things like watching Netflix and spending time with friends sounds fun, it is important to still prioritize school. Try to find a good balance between the two.

Get studying before hanging with friends or watching a movie. This way having fun can be a reward for working hard.

Keep graduation in sight

Stay motivated by keeping the end in mind. All the hard work has been to graduate and get a diploma. If lacking motivating causes a student to fail a class, they are only set further away from getting their degree. Do not let senioritis delay graduation.

Sophia Phillips is a staff writer at the Northern Star. She can be reached at [email protected].