When was the last time you got a case of senioritis?

What is senioritis and how can you cure senioritis? Senioritis is defined as a decrease in motivation and academic performance at the end of the senior year of high school when the college acceptance letters and final exam exemptions begin arriving. We all know that it’s much broader than that and senioritis strikes older and younger students alike. Even teachers and parents can get a case of the “I don’t care anymore” attitude when the summer vacation or job change is just around the corner.

Spring fever is a similar attitude where students lose focus in the classroom because they can’t wait to get outside and enjoy the longer days. They have a “let’s just get this done quickly” mentality. Here are 4 steps to cure senioritis and spring fever and finish the school year strong, plus more resources for additional reading.

Go outside

This is a game-changer. Did you know that spending 20 minutes a day outside will make you healthier, more productive, and lower your stress level? Whether you are the student, the teacher, or the parent, take some time to go outside each day. Put a reminder on your phone, set a plant on your desk, prop your skateboard by the door, or fill up an extra water bottle at breakfast to help you remember to go outside. Parents can lead the way and take a family walk before or after dinner.

Teachers can vary the workplace by taking the class outside for a period. Adults and students can eat lunch outside or take a walk during their breaks. Don’t ignore spring fever. Embrace it and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and nature. Going outside can boost your mood and productivity.

Need more motivation to get outside every day? According to the American Lung Association, indoor air can be much more polluted than outdoor air!

Stick with routines

While it is important to get outside and enjoy some breaks, it is important to do that within your normal routines. Stick to your regular sleep, school, and homework habits. Clean out the book bag, dust off the agenda book, or print some new planner pages. Or reset them if spring fever caused them to become neglected. One student I know cleans up her room and workspace every Sunday night as a “reset” for the upcoming week. I like this idea!

Get involved

Sometimes students find themselves with too much time on their hands, and they underestimate and procrastinate on projects. They rush around in the morning or get bogged down by all the late assignments because they procrastinate. Along with keeping a homework routine, scheduling some volunteering in the community will keep procrastination from creeping in and free time from being wasted.

Getting a job can provide similar opportunities for time management so long as students can remember that school and family responsibilities trump volunteering and job obligations during the teen years. Parents can help teens do a time analysis of all that the teen needs to do in a week (homework, chores, meals, sleep, school, church, tutoring, etc) and where there are pockets of time for extra activities (sports, volunteering, jobs, and school clubs).

Remember your purpose

Whether you are a student or an adult, remember your purpose. Finish the job well. Whether it’s the start of school or the end, everything you write your name on should be well done and you should remember to put your name on it. Instead of just occasionally glancing at the teacher’s calendar of project due dates, take time to plan out projects and chunk larger assignments. Scheduling your homework and project time will allow you to see the space in your schedule to take breaks and to get outside.

Take time to write a to-do list and there will be more space in your head for fun and for dreaming about what comes next – summer break, school events, a wedding, or uninterrupted book reading time. On your to-do list, you can even schedule some time to brainstorm things to do in the summer, college packing lists, or making a batch of cookies. Set small goals if the to-do list seems overwhelming, but do not give in to the pressure to just let things go. Remembering your purpose will help you find the motivation and cure senioritis. As Benjamin Franklin said, “You will find the key to success under the alarm clock.”

In conclusion, spring fever and senioritis are both products of wanting the next thing – spring break, summer break, new college or job opportunities, or a change of scenery. Instead of ignoring the upcoming changes, find ways to encourage the excitement but also engage in the present moment. Every stage of life will have this transition time. Learning to stay motivated in the present projects will keep you from missing the joy of everyday life and learning by rushing ahead or being lazy with your time.