For many of us, this is the beginning of the last semester, or year, of our undergraduate degrees. This is an exciting time for all of us, but at the same time, it can be extremely hard to find the motivation to continue on. 

Senioritis is a real thing. I know that it has taken me by force and my motivation to do anything has dwindled to nothing. The first day back to school was the hardest for me because of the lack of motivation to be back and I know that I am not alone in this feeling.

Many seniors are ready to be done. It has been an extensive four – or longer – years for most of us. The reward for our labors is so close to being achieved, it can be easy to just give up, but that is not an option.

The hardest part of the race is the last lap. You’re tired, you have exerted almost all of your energy and you feel like your body cannot carry on. At this moment, it can seem easy to let up on the metaphorical gas, but by doing so you just lost the race. Did you make it over the finish line, sure, but did you actually perform to the best of your capabilities?

For some of us, we are pushing ourselves to the best of our abilities and are striving to finish strong, while others are starting to let the temptation of relaxing up take over. So how can we overcome this case of senioritis and finish our last semester/year strong?

The first and most important step is to change your attitude towards school. I completely understand – and am struggling with – the lack of motivation to set a single foot on this campus for classes. It is hard to have to wake up and get to class each day again, but it is important. 

We need to remind ourselves of how blessed we are. Not everyone has the ability to attend a university and those that do don’t always make it past the first or second year.

Instead of waking up with the thought, “I have to go to class,” we should wake up with the attitude, “I get to go to class.” Now, this may sound cliché, but it isn’t. By simply changing one word, your outlook on classes can completely change and it can make it easier to attend.

Changing your attitude will help a great deal, but there is still more that could be done to motivate yourself. One way is to set goals for this final semester/year of school. Maybe it’s finishing with a 4.0 or simply making an effort to show up to every class. Whatever it is, make the goal and stick to it. 

Lastly, don’t stress out too much. I am beyond guilty of this, and I am trying to work on it. I know this is the time of life that has many “what ifs” and uncertainties that come with it. It can be easy to get so caught up in thinking about the future and all the endless unknowns, but it doesn’t help in the long run.

Live in each moment and don’t live in the expectations of tomorrow. Enjoy these last moments of college with friends. Yes, being aware of what comes next is important, but living there and not in this exact moment isn’t.