Senior stress

November 8, 2011

College applications, essays, tests, last-minute SATs…it seems like it will never end! Although senior year is commonly known as the “slack off” year filled with great memories, no one really tells you about the grueling work it entails, which came as a shock to me. But don’t worry! Although the work seems endless, the secret to success is staying organized and confident.

Frequently I open my used assignment notebook to find the myriad assignments that are due that week. Highlighted reminders and capital letters remind me of important deadlines but it all just seems to mush together and the fear of tackling it becomes the dominant thought and stress in my mind.

I often distract myself with the computer or television until late at night when I finally decide to make a dent in my work. It is so easy for me to just become overwhelmed and not do anything at all.

However, all the work begins to pile on, getting bigger and bigger.

“Never push off to tomorrow what you can do today” is one of my father’s famous mantras.

This lesson has constantly reverberated in my head throughout my high school career. Many extracurricular activities, advanced placement courses, and honors classes have made this year extremely rigorous.

It feels impossible but I constantly remind myself to take one step at a time and I always manage to come out with my work complete.

When I am overwhelmed I simply look at my first assignment and dive right in. I place my phone and all my technology in another room so I am left alone with my books; I am isolated and forced to face the assignment at hand.

Nat, a senior at Kushner Yeshiva High School, makes lists of his work so he can “prioritize what assignments are more important and must be done first.” Afterward, he does the assignments which are not as immediate.

There are so many strategies that a senior can take on to lighten the heavy workload and become a successful student who never hands work in late or incomplete.

Although senior year is extremely stressful and leaves us gasping for air, there is so much to look forward to.

All we need is that extra push to get through the stressful applications and classes. The work we put in now will all be worth it later on.

Even though it often feels like there is no possible way to complete the many assignments you have, remember to take one test, deadline, and day at a time, and success will surely follow!

Good luck!

Yael Shapiro, 17, attends Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School and is a member of Nu’s teen board.