Surviving High School Senioritis

With second semester about to begin for most students, many parents worry about their teens slacking off during their last semester, especially if they’ve already been accepted to college. Many parents also worry about whether or not their teens have the necessary skills to be successful while being on their own when they go off to college in the fall.

Therefore, here are a few practical suggestions to assist your second semester teen:

1)      If you notice that they are not completing homework, sit down with them and discuss your concerns with them. A nice benefit of second semester senior year is that it allows students to complete homework and coursework for their own benefit without the added pressure of their grades affecting their ability to get into the college of their choice. For some students, this may mean less motivation, while for others, less pressure can make it easier to enjoy schoolwork and be successful at it. Nonetheless, if schoolwork is not being completed, remind your teen that they do need to pass classes in order to graduate and that this semester affects their overall GPA. For students that are usually highly motivated, but are struggling this semester a bit, as hard as it can be for parents to let go, as long as a student is not close to failing, in some cases it may make sense to not intervene too much, since in the fall, the student will likely be away at college and on their own anyway.

2)      Make sure your teen has good study, time management, and organization skills. If they don’t, it is recommended that they meet with a tutor, therapist, or coach to better develop skills in these domains before heading off to college.

3)      Be sure that your teen feels emotionally ready to leave home, and that any ADHD, depressive, anxious, or other symptoms associated with specific disorders that they may have are well treated/controlled. The transition to college can be stressful and difficult for anyone, but having pre-existing issues can sometimes lead to exacerbation of these issues when young adults begin college. If you have concerns, seek professional assistance for your teen.

4)      If your teen currently receives special education services in the form of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, make sure your teen’s most recent evaluation is recent enough to permit them to apply for accommodations in college.

5)      Make sure your teen knows basic life skills such as how to do laundry and clean (i.e., dust, vacuum).

Finishing up high school and preparing to attend college is often both an exciting and nervous period for teens and parents alike. By making sure that teens are well prepared, it can greatly help ease the transition to college for your soon to be young adult. It also can help parents to feel more confident that their young adults can be successful on their own at college. 

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Dr. Carey Heller is a licensed psychologist with The Heller Psychology Group LLC in Bethesda, Maryland. He specializes in work with children, adolescents, and families, and is happy to answer questions and provide consultations for individuals who are considering pursuing treatment, an evaluation, or other services for their child, adolescent, or themselves. Dr. Heller can be reached at (301)-385-2610 or careyheller@thehellerpsychologygroup.com.

*Disclaimer: The previous information is intended as general guidance based on my professional opinion, does not constitute an established professional relationship,  and should not replace the recommendations of a psychologist or other licensed professional with whom you initiate or maintain a professional relationship*