Fourth quarter is a time that students anticipate all school year. The final bell on the last day of school symbolizes the accomplishment of finishing another school year and for some, it means graduating and moving on to a new chapter in their lives. However, getting to the finish line isn’t easy. Towards the end of the year, many students lose the energy to study, complete assignments and wake up in the morning to attend class.
It is common for students to believe when they have good grades at the end of a term, it will not hurt them to “slack off” a little in their schoolwork. However, missing assignments and not studying can make grades drop faster than most people think. Lack of motivation especially trends in seniors as the days count down to graduation, becoming what is commonly known as “senioritis.” It is important for seniors who have gotten accepted into college earlier in the year to stay focused on their assignments and final grades, because colleges can rescind acceptances if an applicant’s GPA drops too much.
Amanda Phasouk (12) has felt herself starting to lose motivation as graduation gets closer.
“I feel like I have senioritis,” Phasouk said. “Getting up to go to school and doing work has gotten harder since it is getting closer to summer.”
Catching what may be causing a decline in motivation in the early stages is very important to staying determined in the final months of school. The University of the People has studied the lack of motivation in students and has determined six causes: achievement, end-goal mindset, boredom, denial/fear, anticipation and convenience. The stress of achieving academic goals that took many years to accomplish can cause burnout in many teens. Many students only focus on their end-goal instead of taking advantage of the benefits that come with the academic and social environment in their schools. It is important to enjoy what is being studied and where the studying takes place. Boredom is also a mental struggle when the same learning styles are used consistently throughout the year. Students can collaborate with teachers to find out how they learn the best and what keeps them interested in their lessons. Fear and anticipation have opposite feelings attached to the end of the school year, but it has been found that they cause similar behaviors with motivation in students. Lastly, lack of drive gives students a convenient excuse for themselves as to why they are not working as hard. It is very crucial to be aware that effort can be controlled.
Saffy Evans (10) has set boundaries for herself when studying in order to maintain good grades.
“When I’m doing my homework, I put my phone away, so I have no distractions,” Evans said. “I set a timer to designate time for focusing on my assignments.”
Lack of motivation can also be a sign of mental health issues such as depression. According to Southern New Hampshire University, other signs of depression include anger and irritability, changes in sleep and appetite, lack of energy and loss of interest in hobbies, sadness and feelings of emptiness, and unexplained physical symptoms. Recognizing the symptoms and consulting a mental health professional can contribute to a more positive quality of life. Spending time with and talking to friends and family can improve mental health as well.
Abby Tincher is a faculty training and development facilitator at Southern New Hampshire University who gives advice to students on how to maintain high effort at the end of a term.
“Keep a positive attitude through the end and keep reminding yourself of the end goal,” Tincher said. “Share how you are feeling with someone that can help provide ideas and resources.”
