As this school year rapidly comes to a close, myself and many other seniors are afflicted with a condition that’s far older than we are: senioritis. This term is used to describe demotivation that high school seniors feel as the end of the year approaches.

Due to this lack of motivation, it’s easy to fall into bad academic habits and let your grades slip, especially as college decisions roll in. However, now isn’t the time to give up!

There are many tips and tricks that are shown to be good repellents to this lack of incentive. Some of the most accredited are staying organized, setting goals, and taking breaks to reward yourself for productivity.

Stay Organized
When people imagine staying organized, they can fall into the trap of thinking they need to buy lots of different planners, folders, etc. However, in my experience, when you’re just starting out, all of these different tools can make it overwhelming to actually create a structured plan.

One organization tip that I personally use and recommend is to create a Google document, write the date, and use the checklist feature to make a list. I use these checklists mainly for homework, but they can be used for day-planning too!

Write down a few simple tasks that you need to get done that day, and feel accomplished as you methodically check them off. Not only has this method made me feel more productive, it has also been a big help in combating my bad memory – I highly suggest giving this a try!

Set Goals
Setting clear goals is another tried and true method for motivation. Things like creating vision boards, or just simply writing down things such as “I want to get an 80% on my next math test” are very effective.

Nicolette Sookraj, a senior at Hills, takes time to make study plans where she outlines her goal. Writing down specific things she wants to accomplish/focus on over set periods of time. “Having a clear goal in mind is really helpful for inspiration and making me feel more productive,” she said.

Reward Yourself
If those first two methods aren’t quite enough for you, I encourage rewarding yourself every time you accomplish a goal, making sure those goals are small and easy to perform. For example, instead of telling yourself that you’re going to do homework and then sit down and study for two hours uninterrupted, tell yourself that if you spend 30 minutes studying, you’ll allow yourself a 10-minute break on your phone or for eating a quick snack. By doing this, you’re breaking up your work into more manageable chunks.

You’re also making yourself subconsciously dread the task less, as your brain begins to focus more on the gratification you’ll receive rather than the task at hand.

By implementing these strategies and taking advice from your friends, you can create a personalized plan to effectively combat senioritis!