As the second semester of senior year progresses, “senioritis” becomes an ever-present topic throughout the Upper School Campus. Many students, especially those who have already been accepted into their Early Action or Early Decision schools, find it hard to stay academically motivated. With the end of highschool two months away and some students’ college decisions already made, it’s easy to understand why their academic drive may begin to slip.
Senior Nikhil Gowda shared how his focus has adjusted slightly since his Cornell University acceptance, acknowledging that while he has “eased up a bit” in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, he continues to engage and put effort into his work.
“I have some flexibility because I maintained a 4.0 [GPA] during my first semester,” Gowda said.
While a GPA decline from the fall to the spring semester is common, many college admissions officers only initially consider grades up to the senior fall when making decisions. Despite this, Gowda remains committed to staying on track academically.
However, that doesn’t mean the second semester is without consequences. Paige Steinberg, former Financial Aid Systems and Data Graduate Assistant and Columbia University and current college counselor, noted that even though semester two grades may not weigh as heavily in the college application process, a significant drop could still pose risks.
“Colleges could rescind their offer if they see a large decline,” Steinberg said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a solid academic performance even after acceptance.
Some students, like senior Tatiana Aizemberg, choose to stay motivated despite already securing sports at top schools.
“I stay on top of things becuase I know waitlists and rejections are bound to happen,” Aizemberg explained. “But if I’m waitlisted, I can submit my final grades and demonstrate that I’ve maintained high rigor, which could increase my chances of getting off the waitlist.”
Aizemberg’s continued commitment to her extracurriculars, such as serving as Secretary of the Health Information Project (HIP), also strengthens her profile for the schools she was deferred from.
For seniors navigating the final stretch, using available time wisely is key. Steinberg advises seniors to use their Directed Study (DS) periods effectively so they can focus on schoolwork during the day, leaving less to do outside of school hours.
“[Seniors must] keep up with classes; missing or being late to class usually results in more work to catch up,” Steinberg said.
Though many seniors are tempted to slack off, it’s important to maintain high academic standards and stay involved in extracurriculars—even after receiving college acceptances. This is especially true for those on waitlists or facing deferrals. The effort put in during these final months of high school can still make a difference.
As Steinberg emphasizes, “have fun and soak in every moment seniors. Don’t count the minutes—you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
