This time of year, it is common for schools and districts to allow seniors in good academic standing to lean into the rite of passage known as “senioritis.” Schools typically look the other way when seniors take more days off, come in late, or do the bare minimum as they ride out their final days of high school, eager to start their postsecondary next phase. And, in many ways, for students who are on track to meet their graduation requirements and have their plans in place for the next school year, this time to pause a bit and breathe–after four years of hard work and effort–if often seen as harmless. 

Despite not often significantly impacting students’ high school transcripts, allowing students to “check out” before graduation means they often miss critical information and guidance on planning for their transition to college or the workforce during this time. But many students and families do not realize the role these supports and information can play in helping students successfully matriculate to and persist in college or a career role.

Districts and schools can proactively and strategically remind students that there is tremendous value in their time at school in these final months. Use the tips below to help invite student engagement and foster a sense of relevance in order to maximize the time and support for graduating seniors as they take steps to enter their next phase of life. 

• Hold district- or school-wide informational sessions to help students and families understand financial aid packages: During the fall and early spring, districts and schools put an incredible amount of effort into making sure students complete the FAFSA. And though that is a pivotal, gate-keeping step, many students and families are not sure how to interpret the intricacies of different financial aid packages. Districts can hold virtual or in-person sessions to educate families on different terms, help explain long-term impacts of different kinds of aid, and talk through steps to negotiate or appeal decisions for schools. 

• Build in working sessions to help students assess their college or job offer options: Beyond comparing financial aid packages, many students end up with several options for college or a career placement. Districts can encourage schools to build exercises into advisory periods to help students strategically evaluate different options, along a variety or measures, to thoughtfully make their postsecondary decisions. 

• Distribute checklists for common steps students must take to commit to a college: Many students think that the college readiness process is over once they have received the coveted acceptance letter. However, there is an incredible amount of paperwork, decision points, and other things to get in order to secure a spot and be fully ready to transition to college next year. This can include filling out housing forms, putting a deposit down, finding part-time job options, and identifying transportation. Districts can use their communication channels to push out checklists and reminders for graduating seniors and their families to ensure they will be able to start the next year without challenges or missed steps. 

• Share resources to help students understand and plan for being more financially independent: Many states now require personal finance courses, which has dramatically increased student financial literacy. Many students, however, take these courses early during high school and use hypothetical scenarios to guide their learning. As students get ready to embark on being more financially independent, it can be incredibly helpful to have them engage in thinking and planning for how this will look given the specifics of their next steps. Districts and schools can share tools, resources, and information to help students create budgets and make a plan for how they will manage their finances. 

• Create opportunities to share community resources: As students plan for their next chapter, there are often smaller details that are important but get overlooked in big picture planning, some of which families are unable to support. These include having appropriate clothes if moving to a different climate or professional clothes if going into a career role or securing transportation to a college or workplace. School districts can play an important role in connecting students in need with community resources to help them prepare for these situations. From sharing contact information to holding resource fairs at easily accessible locations, these efforts can go a long way in setting students up for success. 

It’s Okay if the Final Months Look Different

It makes sense that seniors are ready for a different dynamic during their final weeks of high school. They have spent so much time putting in the work in courses and extracurricular activities to ensure they have options for next school year. And for many, their attention has turned to being excited for the next step. Demanding that they continue to commit to those efforts in the same way is unrealistic. Despite this, however, the time students and families spend engaging with the school system during these months can be incredibly powerful in nurturing their long-term success. Finding ways to create meaningful, purposeful experiences and opportunities for where students are right now can ensure that they truly are ready for their postsecondary next step. 

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