Senior Struggles: The Last Bit of Motivation Slips Away
As the title suggests, I’m a senior in Italy grappling with a significant loss of motivation. I’ve had a decent run throughout four of my five high school years, including two as president of the student council and the other two maintaining straight A’s.
However, since last year, my interest in school has begun to wane. I’m enrolled in a scientific high school, and although I’ve set my sights on studying law in the future, life has a way of surprising us.
I have a multitude of hobbies, which are the primary reason I even get out of bed in the morning. I love reading, and surprisingly, I also enjoy self-study. I typically learn in a focused, personal way, absorbing as much as I can and aiming to retain that knowledge.
Unfortunately, the Italian high school system demands multitasking, and that’s where I struggle the most. Much of what we learn feels utterly pointless, and the only part of school I genuinely enjoy is heading home. The cycle of learning something, taking a test, and then promptly forgetting it feels like a waste of time.
I know this feeling is all too common among students, but I can’t help but reflect on how passionate I used to be in my earlier years. Now, everything seems to be on a downward spiral; my grades are plummeting, and I can’t find any relief—it just keeps getting worse.
I’ve been in therapy for a year now, and I genuinely believe that school is currently the biggest obstacle in my life. I know I have the potential to excel, but this environment is wearing me down. Every time I try to cultivate a disciplined approach, the overload of responsibilities overwhelms me. I manage to be disciplined in other areas, but the academic pressure is just too much.
I apologize for the venting, but I needed to share this. Does anyone have advice on how to navigate these last three months? I’m not worried about college, but I fear that my high school experience will end on a sour note if things continue this way.
It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and unmotivated, especially when you’re in the final stretch of high school and it feels like the system isn’t supporting your learning style or interests. It sounds like you’ve had a lot of successes in the past, which makes this especially frustrating.
Here are a few suggestions that might help you regain some motivation over these last few months:
Focus on What Matters: Since you already know you want to pursue legal studies, try to connect your current studies to that future goal. Find ways to relate the subjects you’re learning to legal principles or real-world scenarios. This might make it feel more relevant and engaging.
Set Small, Achievable Goals: Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, break down your tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Celebrate those little victories as they can help build momentum and a sense of accomplishment.
Prioritize Self-Care: Make sure you’re taking care of your physical and mental health. Incorporate activities into your routine that you enjoy and that help you relax. This balance can help reduce the pressure you may be feeling from school.
Engage with Your Interests: Since you have a lot of hobbies and enjoy self-study, allocate time to explore those areas even if they’re outside your school obligations. This will keep your passions alive and may help reignite a spark for learning in your required subjects.
Communicate with Your Teachers: If you feel comfortable, consider reaching out to your teachers about how you’re feeling. They might be able to offer extra support or flexibility to help you through this period.
Build a Support System: Connect with friends or classmates who share your feelings. Sometimes just knowing that you’re not alone can help alleviate some of the stress.
Visualize Your Success: Spend some time visualizing what your life will be like after high school. Picture yourself in college and working toward your legal career. This can help you remember why you started in the first place and keep you motivated to push through the final stretch.
It’s okay to feel lost or unmotivated, especially at this stage in your life. Remember that this is just a chapter; it doesn’t define your entire story. Best of luck with the rest of your senior year! You’ve got this!