Senioritis

[Anonymous]

DS got into his first choice school ED, so is done with the college process. He's always been an A student but is now kicking back. He's not in danger of failing just having his grades slip some. The question is, should I care? Step in? On the one hand, he's finally at a point where the pressure is off. Also I don't want him to start college burned out. My real concern is that he gets into a lazy mode and has trouble stepping it up again when he gets to college. I'm not sure if I should be concerned about that.

So, thoughts on senioritis?

[Anonymous]

OP again. This is my oldest so I don't know whats typical. He seems pretty happy, is hanging out more with friends and pushing us away some, asserting independence.

[Anonymous]

Ha. My DD is now doing great in college but also had a horrible senior year. She was always an extremely good student prior to that so it was somewhat shocking. There was only one college she applied to that wanted to see her mid-year grades and she basically dissed them. I was upset about that , but she was having a really tough time emotionally and had been accepted to other great schools so that I didn't press her. I think there was a lot of ambivalence on her part about the future and she was devastated about a break-up, so I didn't press her.

She recently told me she never opened her final grades from senior year because she didn't want to see how horribly she did.
I don't know if she was just tired of school, stressed, or all of the above.

Now has been on the Dean's list every semester.

[Anonymous]

This was my kid last year. DC is doing great in college, yours will too. Unless you see a lot of C's cropping up towards the end of a quarter, I'd let it slide. One of DC's friends even got a D in some class and it was all still okay. This is at Wm & Mary.

[Anonymous]

I hear some schools will withdraw the offer if grades slip too much

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear some schools will withdraw the offer if grades slip too much

They all will. This is OP. I'm not worried that it will get that bad.

[Anonymous]

I hear some schools will withdraw the offer if grades slip too much

I have heard numerous warnings about this happening, but I have never actually met someone to whom this actually happened. Even kids who got accepted to great schools ED and had a C their last semester. While it's something to be worried about--you don't want to get straight Cs or fail a class, just keep it in perspective. A few Bs (or even a C) will not get your previously straight A student rescinded.

[Anonymous]

I had a 3.99 until my final semester senior year - got 2 Bs I think maybe even a C. It wasn't an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I hear some schools will withdraw the offer if grades slip too much

I have heard numerous warnings about this happening, but I have never actually met someone to whom this actually happened. Even kids who got accepted to great schools ED and had a C their last semester. While it's something to be worried about--you don't want to get straight Cs or fail a class, just keep it in perspective. A few Bs (or even a C) will not get your previously straight A student rescinded.

I have a friend whose DS was sent a letter from his chosen school (not Ivy, but very good school) requesting additional information and explanation because his English grade slipped during his 2nd semester of senior year…so this really can happen! It all ended out okay and he was still accepted, but there were a few days at the end of the year that were stressful - they weren't sure if the offer was still going to stand.

OP - I wouldn't worry too much especially since he has gotten good grades throughout high school. My DD is in the same boat and I swear it is all I can do to get her to be productive! She recognizes it, but she's just so tired and burned out from working so hard that she can't muster the motivation. I'm backing off and giving her space. My DH and I have told her that it would be a real waste if she blows it all in these last months and she agrees. Luckily, she knows about our family friend's situation and certainly doesn't want that to happen to her. Just remind him that he needs to maintain a decent grade average. Do you know if his school will require the 2nd semester grades to be reported? You should find out and let him know this - it might be a motivator for him to work harder.

I remember having senioritis when I was in high school, but frankly I don't think I worked nearly as hard as my DD does these days. We expect quite a bit from them now - they deserve a slow down period - not a complete break, but a slow down.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I hear some schools will withdraw the offer if grades slip too much

I have heard numerous warnings about this happening, but I have never actually met someone to whom this actually happened. Even kids who got accepted to great schools ED and had a C their last semester. While it's something to be worried about--you don't want to get straight Cs or fail a class, just keep it in perspective. A few Bs (or even a C) will not get your previously straight A student rescinded.

I have a friend whose DS was sent a letter from his chosen school (not Ivy, but very good school) requesting additional information and explanation because his English grade slipped during his 2nd semester of senior year…so this really can happen! It all ended out okay and he was still accepted, but there were a few days at the end of the year that were stressful - they weren't sure if the offer was still going to stand.

OP - I wouldn't worry too much especially since he has gotten good grades throughout high school. My DD is in the same boat and I swear it is all I can do to get her to be productive! She recognizes it, but she's just so tired and burned out from working so hard that she can't muster the motivation. I'm backing off and giving her space. My DH and I have told her that it would be a real waste if she blows it all in these last months and she agrees. Luckily, she knows about our family friend's situation and certainly doesn't want that to happen to her. Just remind him that he needs to maintain a decent grade average. Do you know if his school will require the 2nd semester grades to be reported? You should find out and let him know this - it might be a motivator for him to work harder.

I remember having senioritis when I was in high school, but frankly I don't think I worked nearly as hard as my DD does these days. We expect quite a bit from them now - they deserve a slow down period - not a complete break, but a slow down.

Good luck!

Totally agree. DD has been killing herself for 3 1/2 years. She is just not feeling it and she is no slacker. I think most teachers understand this, even if they don't like it.