Fiction vs. Fact: What You & Your Student REALLY Need to do Senior Year

What do seniors – and their parents – need to expect during the senior year of high school?  Here’s a simple list that separates some common myths from the facts.

Three of the most common myths surrounding senior year are:

Myth #1 Students can take relaxed course loads during their senior year.

Myth #2 It’s okay to for students to slack off during their senior year.

Myth #3 Once a student has been accepted into a college, it doesn’t matter what they do.

All of these are complete fiction. Senior year is incredibly important. Even after a student has been accepted into a college, the college will continue to check up on said student’s course load and grades.

If colleges see a slip in performance, they may do any number of things, including withdrawing admission, making students participate in academic advancement programs over the summer, reducing students’ financial aid offers, or placing students in remedial courses during their freshman year.

If your student wants to avoid these penalties, it’s crucial that they stay focused during their senior year.

Now that we’ve cleared up some of the fictions surrounding senior year, let’s talk about some of the facts:

Fact #1 Your student’s guidance counselor can opt out of sending a letter of recommendation when using the Common Application, and they don’t have to inform you of this. Be sure you’re aware of whether or not your student is getting a letter of recommendation.  Also, have other options in place, such as letters  from a teacher, club leader, Scout leader, minister, etc.

Fact #2 Knowing what’s in store for your child and planning accordingly is crucial. Having a financial plan, a communications plan, and even a plan for emotionally letting go, can make senior year and beyond much easier.

Fact #3 Being supportive of your child is very important. Be sure to stress that senioritis is not an excuse to slack off, and that there is a lot at stake. Also be available to your child for informal discussions about how their senior year is going, and what they can anticipate in college.

Remembering the facts and forgetting the fiction can make your child’s senior year a little bit easier for everyone involved, including you!

Senioritis... the Disease College-Bound Students Should Avoid

Already accepted to college? Beginning to lose interest and focus in school? Be careful not to catch senioritis!

Senioritis- a disease effecting high school seniors, especially during second semester; identified by laziness, lack of focus, repeated absences, and a strong desire to graduate.

Senioritis can sneak up on you faster than you think! Here are some tips we give students for avoiding this dread condition: 

Take a strong course load

Don’t take a relaxing course load just because you can. This is your time to shine!  Many high schools only require three years of all the basic subjects (math, science, history, etc.) and four years of English.  Go above and beyond and take a fourth year of the quality courses.  Try to avoid taking study hall or three different gym classes to get out of studying your senior year.  Admissions officers view the hard work and dedication you put forth late in the game as a good indicator of how you will perform in college.

Grades matter

Use your senior year effectively.  College acceptance is based on senior year performance. 

Colleges look at your grades for the first three years of high school.  What many students don’t realize is that grades during their senior year are just as important!  Colleges require you to submit your first quarter, mid-year, and end-of-year grades.  If you have a downward trend in your grades, colleges will notice and take that into account in determining your ultimate acceptance, your financial award, and whether you acceptance is rescinded.

The college application process is competitive and there are many students on a wait-list ready to take your spot.  Your grades senior year can make or break you.  Don’t become a red flag and give colleges a reason to revoke your acceptance.

Tired of high school classes?

Take a course at a local community college.  This is a perfect way to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, plus you can earn college credits in the process.  Not a bad deal!

Time Magazine also has a great article about combatting senioritis: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1191831,00.html