Senioritis (n.): a supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation and performance.
If you’re reading this, you’re either on the brink of senioritis or knee-deep in it. And if you’re a DP (or maybe MYP) student, you’ve likely felt the pull of burnout way before you were even technically a senior. I’d love to say that I’m writing this from a place of triumphant productivity, but I’m not kidding anyone, I’ve struggled with senioritis before I was even a senior. However, there are key things I’ve learned over the last 2 years I’ve been in the DP program that are important to prioritize. So here are my hard-won tips on how to try to stay afloat:
- Channel Your Inner Study Influencer
If you’ve seen those influencers that make studying look like spa days, take inspiration from them! They light candles, have soft lighting, color-coded notes, and probably some Lofi beats with raindrops playing in the background. You don’t have to go all Instagram with it, but play some music or light a candle. The goal here is to trick your brain into thinking that study time is me time.
Pro-tip: Be cozy, but not too comfy- beds are NOT desks!
- Protect Your Mental Peace
It’s really easy to get caught up in the “grind culture” of IB but remember: your mental peace is more important than any assignment or test. Set boundaries for yourself, like limiting your studying at night or taking a break from constantly checking your grades. If something starts to feel a little too overwhelming, take a step back. Restart with activities that recharge you like talking with a friend, going for a walk, or listening to your favorite music.
Pro-tip: It’s okay to say no to things that push your boundaries. Taking care of yourself and your mental peace doesn’t make you less productive, it actually makes you more resilient.
- Give Yourself Fake Deadlines that Sound Urgent
Real deadlines don’t have a real sting once you’re in peak procrastination, senioritis territory. Solution? Fake deadlines. Tell yourself that EE is due tomorrow, that the first draft of your TOK Essay is due at the end of the week, or that you have a Math summative on a topic you know nothing about in 4 days. Act like every Friday is a mini-due date, no all-nighters are required. Don’t stress yourself out too much, but don’t get too comfortable!
Pro-tip: Don’t tell yourself it’s due in a month or a week if you know that won’t scare you. Think “Due in three days,” max.
- Reward Yourself like You’re Training a Puppy
Make the deal sweet. One handed-in assignment equals one reward. Did you get through CAS reflections? Great, watch one episode of your favorite comfort show. Extended Essay progress? That’s a coffee run. Treat yourself to every milestone, no matter how small.
- Get Creative with Study Breaks
Yes, you need study breaks- but not the endless, scrolling on TikTok kind. Do something random and maybe oddly satisfying. Do a five-minute doodling session, throw a tennis ball at the wall, learn three phrases of a new language, and color in a coloring book. All of these will recharge and stimulate your brain. The key is to keep it short and weird enough that you’ll be renewed enough to want to hit the books again with fresh energy.
- Get Moderately Obsessed with a Hobby
There’s nothing like a well-timed distraction hobby to make everything else seem doable by comparison. Hobbies, especially ones that aren’t IB-related, remind you that there is life beyond school. Pick something you’ve always wanted to try: photography, playing guitar, speed Rubik’s Cube-ing. These are lights at the end of the deadline tunnel.
Pro-tip: Let this hobby allow you to blow off some steam and take the edge off but not control your life. I’m not saying senioritis always wins, but if you start competing in Rubik’s Cube-solving competitions at the start of finals season, you’re just looking for trouble.
- Reclaim a Day as a Sanity Day
As tempting as it is to use every day as a last-minute cramming session, try to reserve a day as a recharge day, free from urgent assignments. For example, I use my Fridays as my sanity days. If anything, I’ll use them as a light review or to just finish little things that keep piling up. The important thing is to remind yourself that mental recovery is as productive as anything else.
- Sleep, Even if You Feel like You Don’t Deserve It
One of the most violent senioritis traps is that voice telling you that sleep can wait. But if you’re too tired to function, the smallest tasks will seem like mountains. So, if it’s 1 in the morning and you’re still staring at the same sentence of your English essay or the same problem in your Math homework, call it a night. You’ll be surprised at how many “insurmountable” assignments aren’t nearly as bad when you’re well-rested.
Final Words of “Wisdom”:
Senioritis is inevitable, but letting it win completely is optional. Take the time to laugh at the madness and celebrate the small victories, even if they’re as minute as opening your textbook. Because in the end, even if senioritis wins a few rounds, you’re getting closer to crossing that glorious finish line. And trust me, the post-IB world will look bright–if a little blurry–on the other side.
