What may be going on with your high school senior
1/14/2014
He got in to ________. She was deferred from ___________. He was rejected from ________. Two more applications to submit. Anyone know how to fill out the FAFSA?
This is what I have been hearing from seniors in high school and their parents for the past couple of weeks. The SATs/ACTs/ABCs, the essays, the waiting and that email (in my day it was a thin or thick letter) that elicits exaltation or deep sadness within one click of the mouse. And, these are just the ones that applied early or rolling admission - this will continue over the next few months until the big push in April when all colleges will have admitted their incoming freshman class.
I have worked with many seniors in high school. It is such a pivotal time. In some ways it is a ticket out, a ticket to freedom and a move towards independence. In many ways it is a very scary time. As much as the seniors are flexing their muscles to be on their own, there is something to be said for home cooking, clean clothes and mom and dad lurking around to ensure that life tasks have been checked off, paid for and handled.
Early in my career I worked in high schools and observed the precarious nature of that status of "senior". The seniors were the leaders of the school, captains of the teams and enjoyed privileges of the upper-most upperclassmen (definitely the best parking spots and lunch tables). And yet, in my office they presented as anxious and vulnerable. Would they get in to a college? Would they be able to handle the work load, the transition and the independence?
It is normal to feel apprehensive. I continually reassure my senior clients that they are not alone in these fears. They have been under so much pressure since junior year jumping through all of the "get into college" hoops that they have barely had a moment to ponder what it all means.
Enter second semester senior year, also known as "senioritis" or "senior slump". The applications have been submitted; some have heard from schools and some are still waiting. Grades matter, but not as much as before. There is time again to pause, reflect and realize "HOLY COW - I AM GOING TO GRADUATE".
Seniors may experience this as a sudden shock, a slow building of anxiety or depression or via other symptoms like withdrawal from friends or a drop in grades. Some of my clients have suddenly brought home D's and F's after a high school career of A's and B's. I talk to them frankly about self-sabatoge; if they have anxiety about graduation and leaving home, a handful of F's could easily upend that plan without having to admit "I'm nervous about the next step". It can be easier to crash and burn through that last English credit than have to face the reality that this graduation thing is actually going to happen.
We adults often forget how emotional and challenging this time can be. Teachers, parents and other adults act as cheerleaders raving about graduation and the exciting changes that are coming. But the awareness of these trepidatious months can be really helpful; attend to your seniors, acknowledge that this is a big time of transition and it is okay to feel uneasy or anxious. They may just appreciate it enough to stick around for dinner one night this week.