Staying Focused and Avoiding Senioritis

I'm sure most of you have all heard of the term "senioritis." It happens to us all at every level of education --- the end of the year comes, and you can see the finish line, and you just don't want to do any more work because you've already made up your mind that vacation begins NOW. I'm not gonna lie, I stopped taking notes in one of my classes about a month ago. Probably not the best thing to be doing considering the end of the semester here is always the busiest of times for college students, with papers and presentations all being due at the same time, not to mention final exams. It has become quite contagious at college campuses across the country, and until I snapped out of it a short time ago, I too found myself falling into the "vacay-starts-now" state of mind. In this blog today I hope to share some advice on how to stay focused down the stretch either at the end of the semester for some, but more importantly for graduating seniors like myself, to finish up college and receive that diploma.

With about two and a half weeks until I close the final chapter of my college career and receive that piece of paper that says I am finally "qualified to work," --- the same piece of paper that will cause me to be broke for much of my 20s and 30s due to paying back student loans --- it's so hard not to fall into the trap. Spring is finally here and that means everyone is outside, whether it be taking in some rays to get a head start on your summer tan, or playing the game that never gets old, no matter how old you actually are --- wiffleball. And then you can't forget about the ultimate spring/summer activity --- grilling! What sane person on God's green earth would rather be doing schoolwork inside when there's girls tanning in bikinis and guys playing wiffleball outside, all the while with the aroma of burgers and brats filling the air? Certainly not me.

However, there are some possible "common sense" solutions to this dilemma, but I'm going to warn you, they involve sacrifice and compromise. So if you don't like the meanings of either of those words I suggest somebody pinch you and wake you up from your "dream world" because life isn't easy.

First of all you can "play" during the day when the sun is shining, but that means play time ends when the sun goes down and then it's time to crack the books. So if you play during the day you can't play at night too --- it's one or the other.

Secondly, do your work outside. This way you can still work on your tan while getting your work done. And if you can complete the ultimate multi-tasking trick of getting your work done while playing wiffleball too, then by all means, do it (if you can, I envy you and want to know your secret).

So those are a couple of solutions for the "fair weather" dilemma. As for the staying focused part here are a couple suggestions.

Everyone is different so this one kind of depends on what type of person you are. Maybe some of you can relate to me in that I've always tried to follow the advice I received from my parents as a young boy --- to give 110% in everything that I do. Whether it be out on the athletic fields or sitting at my desk in the classroom, I've always strived for excellence in whatever it may be.

So whenever I need motivation for something I set a goal and then I come up with a reward for reaching the goal. For instance, when I was in high school and wanted to improve my free throw shooting I used to take at least 50 foul shots at the end of every practice once everyone else was done and leaving. No matter how thirsty I was, I wouldn't let myself drink a sip of water until I made at least 35 out of the 50 (70%) of the shots. Many nights I was there for a long time, but I kept thinking about how good that water was going to taste when I finally did it. And every time I did it the water tasted so much better each time, knowing what I had accomplished.

The same type of "goal-setting and reward" strategy can be applied to academics. Naturally, if you're a senior like myself, the reward is that diploma. But imagine how much more proud you can stand on that stage when you hear your name called and instead of them just saying, "Joseph Andrew Fagella," it could be, "Joseph Andrew Fagella, magna cum laude" (with high honors). Don't you want to leave a lasting impression on the place you called home for the last four years of your life? Well, for all intents and purposes graduation is your last chance, and it's a rather big stage to do it on too. So what are you waiting for?

Don't let the $120,000+ you and/or your parents spent on this place go down the drain by "just getting by." Have some respect for yourself and your parents and do that hefty investment some justice --- give it your all! Besides, you're establishing life-long habits now, and if you can't stay focused under pressure at a job out in the real world, they won't put up with it, they'll give you your walking papers. Is that what you want?

So set a goal here for yourself to get the most out of your educational experience during these last couple weeks. It could mean not going out on a Thursday night and instead writing a paper ahead of time so that it's not rushed and last minute and you actually have time to think everything out and pick the correct words and phrases --- basically just giving the assignment more time and undivided attention. Or it could mean starting to study now for an exam two weeks from today, so that you don't have to cram --- again, giving the assignment more time and undivided attention.

Even if your reward isn't getting to hear magna cum laude after your name at commencement, you should at least feel good about yourself because you didn't cheat anybody. Plus you pushed yourself to learn more and that's always a positive. Hard work builds character (and it also gives you hair on your chest according to my grandpa. . .hehe).

I will now leave you with one of my favorite quotes and it came from none other than the radio voice of the Red Sox and Professor of Sports Broadcasting here at Franklin Pierce, Joe Castiglione. He doesn't know where he heard it from, but I heard it from him, so I'm giving him the credit for it. . .because I can (hehe). Here goes: "Talent gets you to the top. Character keeps you there." So what are you waiting for? Get out there and build some character!

Peace out cub scouts,
Joe