You walk into school one random Monday morning and suddenly the inevitable hits you: senioritis. Day after day, you struggle to wake up and get to school on time You sluggishly drag yourself through the halls trying to get through the eight-hour day. What sickness ails you?

Urban Dictionary has this somewhat tongue and cheek definition of senioritis: 

A crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as Graduation.

So if you feel that you’re suffering from senioritis, and the overwhelming desire to graduate may seem inescapable, don’t give up. Here are a few tips to help you defeat this disease.

1. Buy a planner and manage your time.

The skill of time management is incredibly underrated. Both now and in the future, procrastination will become your worst enemy. But there is still hope. Planners will help you stay on top of assignments, college application and scholarship deadlines, exam dates and so much more. Having a written copy of everything you are juggling will automatically decrease your stress levels, so do not underestimate the power of this simple tool.

There are plenty of options when shopping for a planner. They can be found practically anywhere, from CVS to clothing boutiques. Depending on the size, look, and workability you are looking for, Amazon is a great place to start to see the widest variety of options.

When picking a planner, make sure there is enough space to write. You should be able to include work, school, and extracurricular activities with ease. Smaller planners are generally more popular because they are easy to carry in a purse or book bag. This way, you can simply grab and go.

Checklists are another great way to stay on track. Keeping a small spiral notebook in your bag is a good idea, so when your to-do’s start to add up, simply scribble them onto the page. There is something to be said for the satisfaction you feel when scratching something off of a checklist.

Focus on working diligently, allowing yourself enough time to complete all assignments timely and correctly. Remember, this is probably the most important time in your life to maintain good grades.

2. Treat yourself.

Before long, the stresses of filling out the FAFSA, applying for scholarships, upcoming deadlines and mountains of assignments will take a toll on you. Give yourself credit for all that you have accomplished and set some time aside to do something you enjoy. Go out with friends, attend a sporting event, grab a Dunkin’ coffee on a sleepy morning– anything that will bring you a feeling of relief and relaxation. Giving yourself an occasional break is a key to surviving the last stretch of high school.

3. Take a new, exciting elective course.

A great way to make your school day more bearable is to find classes you enjoy. Luckily, FCHS offers multiple options including Culinary Arts, Mythology, Journalism, TV Production, and much more. These classes generally carry a lighter workload and are appealing to students with specific interests or who want to try out something new. They are a great way to grab the final credits of your high school career and branch out from the normal core curriculum.

4. Take Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement classes.

In addition to an impressive collection of elective courses, FCHS also offers a number of college-level class options. From English to History and everything in between, these classes prepare you for the workload that awaits a college student. Exposure to lecture-based classes and college exams will give you a glimpse into your future if you choose to pursue a university.

The main perk of these courses is the chance to acquire college credits while you’re still in high school. Why pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in college for something you can take at FCHS for free? If you take advantage of this opportunity and finish the classes in high standing, the possibilities are endless. The credits transfer to most universities and you may not have to take that course again once you get to college.

In addition, since dual enrollment or AP courses are based on a 5-point grading scale, you’ll get a boost to your GPA if you do well. Getting a head start is always a good idea, and FCHS is here to help.

5. Remember – colleges can take back that acceptance letter.

Once that acceptance letter arrives in the mail, most students sigh in relief, ready to coast through the last semester of high school. But colleges can make the decision to retract their offer of admission if your grades drop during the spring semester. So, although it is okay to feel relieved and relax a little, keep your eyes on the prize. After putting so much work and time towards your future, do not mess it up in the last few months due to laziness. Colleges want to see you challenge yourself until the end, and ultimately succeed.

In the same way, remember that if you acquire too many unexcused absences you can fail high school courses. If you have ten or more unexcused absences, the teacher has the option to fail you. (FCHS policy states that five tardies will equal one absence.) Take it day by day and stick it out, because you are almost done. Though you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, there is still work to be done, so don’t blow off your classes.

6. Get involved and have fun!

Remember that this is a year of lasts. This is the last opportunity to join clubs and go to Prom and Homecoming. Participate in school events such as the senior trip, Lumberjack Friday, Senior Skip Day, the senior prank– everything that you’ll only be able to do once. Get involved and have some fun, because time is running out. Once you graduate, high school will never come back, so leave with no regrets.

With almost five years of high school under your belt, the final few months can feel like an eternity. Power through the urge to procrastinate, skip, or give up. Use these tips to facilitate your senior year and keep this in mind. Walking across the stage in May is your motivation.

It isn’t over yet.