As stressful as the end of the semester is for everyone, it’s especially hard on seniors. There is so much that needs to get done and the stress really weighs you down as you near the end of the road. Graduation is almost here and there seems to be no time left. Here are some steps that may help.
Graphic by Kara Sasiela
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I’m one of those seniors out there, and let me tell you, the stress level is off the charts. With all of the school work, seniors are usually trying to work as well as beginning their search for a job in their career field for when they graduate, not to mention maintaining the things going on in their personal life. Seniors are also dealing with the dreaded myth of senioritis, a term defined by Google as “a supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance.” I think what really happens, at least in my case, is that you become so overloaded with all of the work you have to do that it almost seems impossible to the point that you become unmotivated to do the work because it seems like it will never get done anyway. This overwhelming stress is hard to overcome, but if you are determined to win, you will. Here are some ways that I have been able to lessen the stress and some tactics to help it subside when it comes rushing back. I find that if you make a layout listing all your projects and assignments with the day they are due it helps you spread them out over time to make sure you get them done on time. This also helps you realize what is closest to being due so you can focus on that first. The first step helps you in managing your time. You can spread out your assignments so you don’t feel like you have to get it all done now. This also allows you time to take small breaks throughout the day. You don’t want to burn yourself out; if you’re burned out, the work you’re completing won’t be as good as it could be. Managing your time will help you feel less stressed because you know you’ll get all your work done and that you do have time for a small break. This is the best stress reliever for me, ever, no matter the situation. God knows what is going on in my life and I know that he will get me through it. When the stress comes flooding back, I take a deep breath and I pray. Even though God already knows, he wants me to give my burdens over to him, so just talking it through to God calms me down and gives me reassurance that I’ll make it. Even though it doesn’t feel like you have the time, go ahead and hang out with some friends, even if it’s just for a couple of hours one night a week. The first two steps will help you find the time that you can devote to this step. Hanging out with your friends is the best break you can give yourself. It fully takes your mind off the stress you feel and you can have a good time, and then come back rejuvenated and ready to work. With all of these other steps in mind, one of the best things you can do is to focus on one thing at a time. Use the first couple of steps to figure out what you need to do first and when you need to do it. Take a deep breath, clear your mind of all the millions of other things that need to be done and focus on the task at hand. This will help you get your assignment done much faster and with quality work. Then you can take a small break and move on to the the next task. I know it’s hard, especially as a senior, to get everything done, but hopefully these five steps will help you as much as they are helping me. Good luck and we’re almost there.1. Create a layout of assignments
2. Manage your time wisely
3. Pray
4. Try to hang out with friends
5. Focus
Triston Buckley 
Emily Retzer