The disease known to many as senioritis impacts struggling, high-achieving, and average students alike. Early symptoms start in the fall semester and can include laziness, lack of focus, and difficulty to make decisions. But by the spring, many students with these symptoms may have completely succumbed to senioritis.

By this time in the school year, most college-bound seniors have turned in their applications to various colleges or employers and received their acceptance letters. Many of them feel entitled to a little downtime. Seniors who aren't headed for higher learning may not have figured out what they want to do after graduation, but they are pretty sure that it won't require algebra or Shakespeare.

In short, the second semester of the last year is a kind of waiting room for the next stage of life. Despite this concept accepted by many seniors, it is important to know that you shouldn't give into senioritis so easily. Below are a few steps you should take in order to avoid failing grades and a lack of motivation, so that you can have a prosperous final year in school.

Challenge yourself to:

Maintain a challenging course load. Urge yourself to take the most rigorous courses available.

Enjoy your senior experience responsibly. Encourage yourself to celebrate the last year of school. You can enjoy cheering at football games, going to the prom, and attending graduation festivities. Participating in clubs, sports and volunteer work is also a good idea to enjoy your time.

Commit to an internship or career-focused job. This can help you make informed decisions about your education and career goals. Or you can try out college early by taking a class at a local college in a subject that interests you or in which you excel.

Keep a calendar of your activities and deadlines. This includes tests, college applications, senior-year events and extracurricular activities. These are all fine and good, but remember not to overdo it.

Avoid obsessing over the admission process. If you do, everything else, including grades, suffers. It's all about balance and making the right choices.

In conclusion, challenging yourself in these ways will not only keep you against senioritis, but it will leave you in a stronger position to transition from school and face the rigors of life.