The year is quickly dwindling down. I clearly recall Mrs. Ausmus standing in front of my freshman seminar class telling us that the four years ahead would go by in the blink of an eye. I never really thought they would, but here I am, entering my final quarter as a high school student, certainly displaying the symptoms that characterize the most daunting thing any student could face: senioritis. If you too have fallen ill or are simply dreading it, here are a few pointers to help you get through the final quarter:

• Destress

  

It may sound simple, but this is a vital step in overcoming almost anything. Once you convince yourself that your English paper will not be the end of you, things will get better. Some ways to avoid stress are to do the things you love. Get together with some friends and head down to the beach or have a game night. Let your worries fall away and realize that there is so much more to life than getting an A on that final. 

• Do your homework

Maybe it feels like busy work, but if you aren’t doing too hot on your tests, it would be a smart idea to do your homework. Homework is an easy way to boost your grade because it is often graded based on completion and not correctness. In any case, do it!

• Get organized

Another helpful tool to use during the fourth quarter would be a planner. It is good to stay organized and clean. Use the planner to make a list of things you want and need, because this will make accomplishing them more likely. Go through your binders and get rid of any old loose papers  to make things easier to find. Being organized might also help with completing your homework.

• Set Goals

Setting a goal for the last quarter is important. Doing so will help motivate you for the weeks to come. Whether your goal is to get an A in a class or study for a test, it will surely reinforce the idea that hard work matters in the world. Just remember, its okay to fail. The only thing that matters is that you get back up and try again. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

• Get some sleep

Sleep will always be someone’s best friend because we all need it. Most students should get at least 6-8 hours of sleep. Going to bed before 12 will help keep you focused for the next day. Sleep—or lack thereof—can greatly influence our attitudes and motivation towards school. Don’t go to sleep too late because staying up late makes people tired and lazy, and chances are you will be in a bad mood the next day or maybe not even show up for class, which brings me to my next point.

• Show up to class as much as possible

  

I completely understand the feeling of waking up in the morning and having zero motivation to get out of bed and haul yourself to school, trust me. Still, attendance matters because the more you pile up those “sick” days, the more the amount of work you will have to make up piles up. At the end of the day, it isn’t worth it. Besides, if you forget to bring an absent note, those detentions will add up, which could easily consume the rest of your Saturday mornings or prohibit you from going to your senior prom.

• Don’t get caught up in drama

You already have so much on your plate. If people are toxic, it’s better to leave them in the past. I realize that it is easier said than done, but you will thank yourself later. Senior year can be stressful, so you need a good support system behind you to help you get through it.

• Appreciate your surroundings

It’s easy for seniors to become overly excited about their future plans and forget that they are quickly entering adulthood. These are the last moments of high school, and life will only get harder. Appreciate the final moments with peers because it could be the last time you see them.

• Take a deep breath

Everything might seem overwhelming right now, but you will get through this. We are all in the same boat and we have each other’s backs. Soon enough, you will be walking at graduation, and all of the issues that once seemed so big and scary will no longer matter. You have got this. Don’t give up now.