Senioritis!!

Have him read those heartfelt, sincere, best foot forward essays he wrote back to himself.

Ask him what his plan is to keep senioritis within reasonable boundaries, what will he absolutely not do (underage drinking, DUI, try drugs, excessive speed, flunk a class, let GPA drop - get him to say them out loud or even write out a plan). Have him identify a few things that would signal he’s starting to slack off and unacceptable consequences were occurring.

Ask him what his plan is if he loses any confirmed places at SA or ROTC.

I recall my parents simply asking me neutral questions, in an everyday tone, as if I were a thinking adult, no “you must or you should,” just asking me to think through various scenarios and making it clear I would be responsible for actions, consequences, secondary and tertiary fallout, and figuring it out all over again.

I recall doing One Very Stupid Thing (peer pressure, for once wanted to not be the introverted nerd girl), scaring myself, and then not putting a foot wrong the remainder of the year. I had worked too dang hard to land the college deals I had in play, and I realized I had ALL the power to piddle that away or not.
 
After my son got his appointment, and secured valedictorian, he got that bug. Wanted to spend time with his girlfriend.

Enjoy your senior year. Plebe summer and first year is challenging. :)
 
Someone on this forum mentioned something that really resonated with me and I shared it with my now plebe son. They said something like: "Imagine getting that thin white envelope and thinking back that I wish I would have studied more or I wish I wouldn't have slacked in class". Now, instead of wishing, keep doing.

Of course, they said it much better than I just did :)
 
Don't get senioritis, especially if you are applying to a service academy. Admission is not guaranteed and you want to set yourself up for success if you are going to reapply the following year. In my senior year I continued to work hard until school was over and I was rewarded by increasing my GPA and my class rank due to everyone else slacking. I also managed to get some great letters of recommendation from my senior year teachers who knew that I worked hard to hopefully achieve my dream of attending the Naval Academy. In the end it is your son's decision to either work hard or slack off. But keep in mind that all of that hard work can be thrown out the window with a bad semester.
 
Maybe a heart to heart with his recommendation letter writers...I can’t imagine supporting someone, only to have them toss my respect out the window.

Reading the heart wrenching posts about receiving the TWE’s. How deserving those candidates also were.
 
Our MOC office told us that a few years ago, a kid who had an appointment tanked his 8th semester, and they rescinded his offer. I’d think as long as your DS doesn’t tank, a little loosening up might be ok?? Maybe ask him what he can take off his plate that would have the least negative impact/consequence? I’m one to listen to my kids, and if your DS is struggling, offer solutions, but with full disclosure of what the consequences could be of those choices. “Buck up” might not be healthy. I’m a high school teacher, and my heart goes out to these high-achieving kids who stress themselves out to the max. I hate seeing it.
 
Our MOC office told us that a few years ago, a kid who had an appointment tanked his 8th semester, and they rescinded his offer. I’d think as long as your DS doesn’t tank, a little loosening up might be ok?? Maybe ask him what he can take off his plate that would have the least negative impact/consequence? I’m one to listen to my kids, and if your DS is struggling, offer solutions, but with full disclosure of what the consequences could be of those choices. “Buck up” might not be healthy. I’m a high school teacher, and my heart goes out to these high-achieving kids who stress themselves out to the max. I hate seeing it.
@THmom Funny, I didn't see this post until just now but it is so timely - today was a tough day. Thank you for your insight. He took on too much this semester and is being stretched way too thin. Tonight will talk very seriously about what he can take off his plate and say "no" to. We're at that point of something's got to give. It kills me to see him so stressed! Thanks again for the post!
 
I think if he really wants to go to an SA, then the pressure and workload will be manageable. Last year, all I could think about was getting into USNA almost 24/7, and that's barely an exaggeration: Because of that, I had no problem pushing through even the toughest times of junior year. It was hard, but I never thought about just quitting the whole thing altogether. If he wants it, he can do it. Tell him that. My parents told me at the beginning of this year, when I already felt the senioritis coming on, that senioritis is for the average high-schooler but is not acceptable for someone who is being held to the standard of a service academy. That really stuck with me. If I want to be an extraordinary kid, I have to do extraordinary things, and that includes not letting senioritis get the best of me.
 
Thanks @2024candidate! I really like the "senioritis is for the average high schooler..." I appreciate your perspective - being that you're in the middle of the battle yourself. :muscles2: By the way, CONGRATS! Looks like you are on your way!
 
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