Raise your hand if you’re excited to celebrate the holidays with your Senior and spend some time away from schoolwork. Now, raise your hand if you’re looking forward to making the second semester their best ever! Building an immunity to the dreaded “Senioritis” is easier said than done, especially during an already busy season filled with festivities. Your friends at Jostens understand it’s easy to let things slip down the “Senior Slide” in the second half of the school year. That’s why we’re excited to share a few ways to maintain mid-year momentum and stay motivated until graduation.

Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals: If this method sounds familiar, there’s a strong chance you and your Senior have set goals in a similar framework inside the classroom or the workplace. “S.M.A.R.T.” goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. At their core, “S.M.A.R.T.” goals ensure your student sets proper expectations for themselves and others as they work to accomplish tasks, achieve dreams and finish out the school year strong. Time is of the essence throughout their most important year, and these goals allow them to maximize their time as a Senior as they track their progress and check off items from their to-do lists. As you and your Senior achieve your goals, continue to celebrate every achievement to stay motivated until graduation.

Schedule Time to Unwind: With the holidays quickly approaching, calendars will only continue to fill up with activities for your family. Give yourself and your Senior a break – Literally! If you’re having trouble finding time to bond with your Senior, or you both need some alone time to enjoy hobbies, add this valuable time to your calendars. Reserve an hour on weeknights or set aside an entire day on the weekends to spend your way. Taking time to rest and reset will help you and your Senior achieve the “S.M.A.R.T.” goals you set for yourselves and each other. You both deserve this time to unwind, so why not make it a part of your weekly or monthly routine? Your calendars will thank you!

Ask for Help: From essential decisions to increasingly difficult curriculums, Senior year can feel overwhelming for so many reasons. Give yourself and your student some grace and encourage asking for help when you know it’s needed. Neither of you needs to feel alone throughout the school year. Encourage your student to ask for the assistance they need from teachers, counselors and mentors. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner or other parents for help, too; these parties might be able to provide some valuable advice for approaching complex or confusing situations. When you and your student feel supported, staying motivated from winter break into their springtime celebration is easy.

Get Ahead of Graduation (and Share the Excitement!): Save time and stress leading up to graduation by ordering your Official Graduation Announcement early. This milestone is worth celebrating and sharing with friends and family all school year long. Help your Senior make their selection to capture this achievement with pride for a lifetime. Order yours today.

No matter how you choose to manage your time and maximize Senior year, we’ll be cheering you on along the way to stay motivated and enjoy every moment!