It’s already begun for some students—the tendency to lose some motivation and focus senior year.  Whether due to “burn out,’ a certain academic fatigue, or an eagerness to achieve the next step after college, many seniors begin sliding their way to graduation.

                One senior indicated a confidence that she is ready for the workplace and feels a real sense of anticipation about pursuing an internship and pursuing her first professional job.  In the meantime, how do seniors devote themselves to academics when they feel that they’re ready to be out the door?   Perhaps they now need to reward themselves with more frequent breaks when writing those long, analytical papers that require a good deal of research and critical thinking.  Perhaps seniors need to remind themselves more than they used to that they don’t want to blow the good academic record that they have worked so hard to develop over the past three years.  Whatever the approach, many seniors need to take some steps to motivate themselves and protect their GPA during the last semester.

                An additional sense of anxiety for seniors that takes their mind away from a clear focus on their studies involves the transition from college to the work place.  Questions about no longer being eligible for coverage under parents’ health care or auto insurance sure add to the tensions of the moment---not to mention the difficult job market. 

                On the other hand, a minority of seniors don’t want to leave college. They have found success here; they love the campus environment, perhaps they’re not sure of their next step. They are in no rush for the door. However, those who plan on attending graduate school right after graduation probably have the easiest transition; they probably perceive a clear link between their present studies and their  future goals. 

Whatever the attitudes and circumstances seniors experience new challenges which are involved with being close to the end of their college careers. Unlike previous challenges, the senior reality is not based solely on academic or college-life issues; instead, they must look to the future but affix themselves to the present, and focus more than ever on crossing the finish line strongly.