Tips and tricks for ending high school strong.
Is your child experiencing burnout as we hit the final months of the school year? Are they already thinking about summer while assignments remain unfinished and tests still require study?
These are important questions, especially if you are the parents of a high school senior. That second semester disease, known as “senioritis,” can be prevalent. Many students have already been accepted into colleges and universities — and some have decided where they want to spend the next four years. As a result, they may wonder why it matters to finish the year strong. However, higher education institutions can rescind acceptances, so it remains important to maintain strong academic performance.
It wasn’t long ago that I was a high school senior, and I have a few tips and tricks to help motivate students over the coming weeks.
First, help your senior focus on a subject or topic that genuinely interests them. If they plan to attend college, chances are they have already chosen a major or at least have one in mind. Simply telling them they need to keep up their grades before college often doesn’t work — strong students sometimes know how to coast. Instead, challenge them with something they can engage with positively. That motivation can carry over into their other coursework.
For example, in my final months of high school, I knew I planned to major in English. I concentrated on strengthening my final essays, which improved my writing skills. It also helped me find a productive rhythm and complete other classwork at a high level. If your child is lacking motivation, help stimulate their interests and set them on the right track.
If your child is enrolled in Advanced Placement courses, they likely have an end-of-year exam that could determine whether they earn college credit. Reinforce the importance of those exams. Earning credits in high school can lighten a college course load and potentially reduce tuition costs. I often discussed this with my parents, and we realized that with enough credits, early graduation was possible. The prospect of less time in school and fewer student loans can be powerful motivation.
Finally, offer help when appropriate. You don’t need to complete assignments for them, but providing guidance can help them get started. Reviewing a few math problems or offering feedback on a writing assignment may provide the push they need.
These steps may seem small, but they may help alleviate senioritis and give students momentum as they finish high school and prepare to begin college this fall.
By Caleb Otte
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