4 answers
Sarah
Student
New York, New York
1
Question
Updated
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How do I get into the mentality of preparing myself for my freshman year of college? #Spring26
I am a senior in high school and currently unmotivated to do my work. How do I bounce back onto track in college?
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4 answers
Martha D. Kramer
Corporate Training and Communications
97
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Martha D.’s Answer
Hi, Sarah, you may be describing "senioritis", an understandable lack of motivation near the end of your high school career (see more in link below). I encourage you to find the motivation within to complete your coursework and graduate. You do not want to risk the college admission you have worked so hard to win.
As for college, you will have a summer break to rest and rejuvenate. Further, you will be in a new place with new people and courses you have chosen. I suspect that the motivation will revive naturally. If it doesn't or is erratic, there will be resident advisors, academic advisors, tutoring resources, and mental health professionals who could help you. Asking for assistance before the problem becomes big is a strength, not a weakness.
If you see no uptick in your motivation even after some rest, maybe consider taking a gap year before starting college. You would need to check with your school, but many would allow a one-year deferral, at least when it is early enough for them to fill the slot from their waiting list.
Wishing you good luck!
Senioritis - https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/what-is-senioritis
As for college, you will have a summer break to rest and rejuvenate. Further, you will be in a new place with new people and courses you have chosen. I suspect that the motivation will revive naturally. If it doesn't or is erratic, there will be resident advisors, academic advisors, tutoring resources, and mental health professionals who could help you. Asking for assistance before the problem becomes big is a strength, not a weakness.
If you see no uptick in your motivation even after some rest, maybe consider taking a gap year before starting college. You would need to check with your school, but many would allow a one-year deferral, at least when it is early enough for them to fill the slot from their waiting list.
Wishing you good luck!
Martha D. recommends the following next steps:
Tunde Takacs
Business outcome owner
4
Answers
Budapest, Hungary
Updated
Tunde’s Answer
Sarah, what you’re feeling right now is more common than you think. Senior year burnout is real, your brain already feels like you’ve “finished,” even though school isn’t technically over yet. So instead of fighting that feeling directly, the key is to reset your mindset for what’s coming next, not what’s ending now.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1403
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Sarah,
That “checked-out” feeling near the end of senior year is more common than people admit. You’ve been pushing for a long time, and now that a big transition is coming, your mind is starting to coast. The goal isn’t to suddenly feel motivated again; it’s to build a simple system that helps you finish strong and walk into college with momentum.
Start small and make it practical. Pick 2–3 daily non-negotiables: attend class, complete the most important assignment, and spend a focused 45–60 minutes studying (phone away). You don’t need perfect days, you need consistent ones. When the bar is clear and realistic, it’s easier to follow through even when you don’t feel like it.
Shift your mindset from “I need to care about this” to “I’m training for what comes next.” College will give you more freedom, but also more responsibility. Showing up now, especially when you don’t feel motivated, is how you build the discipline that will carry you later. See this as your warm-up season, not the final exam.
Resetting your environment is also helpful. Study in a clean, quiet space, reduce distractions, and set short timers (like 25–30 minutes) to get started. Momentum usually follows action, not the other way around. Even beginning for a few minutes can pull you out of that stuck feeling.
At the same time, protect your energy. Sleep, take short breaks, talk to friends, and give yourself something to look forward to each week. Burnout doesn’t disappear by pushing harder; it improves when effort and recovery are balanced. You don’t need a dramatic comeback, Sarah. Just a steady return to small, consistent actions. If you can finish this phase with a bit of structure and self-discipline, you’ll walk into college far more prepared than you think.
Best wishes!
That “checked-out” feeling near the end of senior year is more common than people admit. You’ve been pushing for a long time, and now that a big transition is coming, your mind is starting to coast. The goal isn’t to suddenly feel motivated again; it’s to build a simple system that helps you finish strong and walk into college with momentum.
Start small and make it practical. Pick 2–3 daily non-negotiables: attend class, complete the most important assignment, and spend a focused 45–60 minutes studying (phone away). You don’t need perfect days, you need consistent ones. When the bar is clear and realistic, it’s easier to follow through even when you don’t feel like it.
Shift your mindset from “I need to care about this” to “I’m training for what comes next.” College will give you more freedom, but also more responsibility. Showing up now, especially when you don’t feel motivated, is how you build the discipline that will carry you later. See this as your warm-up season, not the final exam.
Resetting your environment is also helpful. Study in a clean, quiet space, reduce distractions, and set short timers (like 25–30 minutes) to get started. Momentum usually follows action, not the other way around. Even beginning for a few minutes can pull you out of that stuck feeling.
At the same time, protect your energy. Sleep, take short breaks, talk to friends, and give yourself something to look forward to each week. Burnout doesn’t disappear by pushing harder; it improves when effort and recovery are balanced. You don’t need a dramatic comeback, Sarah. Just a steady return to small, consistent actions. If you can finish this phase with a bit of structure and self-discipline, you’ll walk into college far more prepared than you think.
Best wishes!
Hwal Lee
DMSc, PA-C
293
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Sarah,
Above all, I hope you enjoy yourself through, well, everything. And that includes not knowing how your college experience will turn out, and I hope you can derive some enjoyment out of that 'mystery,' too. Make sure you pick an area of study that you are truly interested in and hopefully see yourself making a career out of. I would encourage you to become familiar with college resources - basically, where to turn to for assistance when you need it, such as a financial aid office, academic success centre, fitness club, library, student health centre, campus security office, and student counselling centre, to name a few. And no matter what, stay on top of your mental and physical health too give yourself the best chance of making the most of your college experience.
Let me know if you have any specific questions. Good luck!
Hwal
Above all, I hope you enjoy yourself through, well, everything. And that includes not knowing how your college experience will turn out, and I hope you can derive some enjoyment out of that 'mystery,' too. Make sure you pick an area of study that you are truly interested in and hopefully see yourself making a career out of. I would encourage you to become familiar with college resources - basically, where to turn to for assistance when you need it, such as a financial aid office, academic success centre, fitness club, library, student health centre, campus security office, and student counselling centre, to name a few. And no matter what, stay on top of your mental and physical health too give yourself the best chance of making the most of your college experience.
Let me know if you have any specific questions. Good luck!
Hwal