The idea of graduation and the future invigorates an exciting hope– daydreaming about their independence, engulfed with a sense of release after 4 years, but the reality is that there are 3 more months till this special day. While 3 months isn’t a huge passage of time in hindsight, the path towards graduation feels daunting, waiting for the impending clock-tick that’s closer towards this culminating milestone.
While graduation is imminent, the status regarding post-graduation varies; some have received their letters or have committed, and some seniors’ acceptances are pending– the only task being left is to finish FAFSA and work on scholarships if need be.
While seniors are ready to close this chapter, a lethargic and sluggish feeling is casually creeping up on them– begging the question, is senioritis real, or do seniors use it to mask their laziness and academic underperformance?
Senioritis, its first use cited back in 1957, is used as a lighthearted jab to describe seniors lacking academic motivation. The senioritis epidemic is most contagious during 2nd semester, catching symptoms of fatigue and tiredness from low energy, slip in routine, procrastination, boredom, apathy regarding grades, burn-out, and anxiety about the future.
“Procrastination has always been a problem for me in the past years, but I don’t think I’ve ever had so many missing assignments until now,” states Shemeah Lemmo, 12th grade, “It’s not like I’ve completely given up, but most of the time, I tell myself ‘It’s senior year, who cares?’ and end up regretting it later.”
Education feels most consequential during high school with the demanding pressure put on academic success– especially during junior year since it’s the last year they can amp up their academic performance and extracurriculars, in hopes of wrapping up their high school careers with an impressive feat and cementing their competitive edge for college applications.
Lemmo gets candid about her high school experience, stating, “Having to go to school then working for four hours, coming home to study and do homework, and barely having any time for myself is probably why I started giving up so soon into senior year,” recounting her junior year.
First semester classes are traded in for the college center as many primarily focus on their applications. Seniors have done what they could at this point in their high school careers, so there’s some pressure alleviated in knowing you’re nearing the finish line towards graduation.
“I still do [homework] on time, but there’s no real drive to do anything anymore as all my applications are in and all my grades have already been submitted to colleges, so there’s not a lot of effort left inside of me,” remarks Luke Cefalu, 12th grade.
The path towards graduation is steady, but committing to college has made some feel closer towards the finish line– completing the grunt work of high school, preserving through applications, and having a clear path awaiting them.
“I do think committing to college and submitting my applications, plus it being second semester absolutely contributes to like senioritis,” comments Ixchel Brainin, a senior committed to Tulane University,
She explains, “It feels like you wanna celebrate that or like you’ve earned a break or earned a period of rest where you don’t have to put so much emphasis on your grades because you’ve completed your duties as a senior so it feels like you can take some mental vacation time off.”
This elated feeling wears off soon, reminded of the fact that they’re not absolved of being high school students; School isn’t over yet– classes still count and attendance matters the most in order to attend prom and walk during the graduation ceremony.
Most college acceptances are also on a contingent basis– requiring grades to be maintained, otherwise revoking acceptance. While seniors are stereotyped as being lazy and having a tendency to procrastinate, those who have already gotten into college through their high academic record, won’t have trouble staying motivated and holding onto their academic streak.
Currently, most are treading towards the finish line, a hazy-looking path towards the future, feeling permeated with anxiety waiting for their acceptance letters. Finishing the arduous application should feel like the calm after the storm, except the storm is just lingering– waiting to change someone’s life.
Cefalu explains, “You just want to know where you’re going and want to hang out with your friends from your final semester and you don’t really want to do all the work that still comes with school,” summing up his thoughts on the cause of experiencing senioritis.
It’s nice having that weight lifted off one’s shoulders, not having to worry so intensely about submitting an application, but that’s been replaced with meticulously monitoring college emails everyday, waiting for that special news. Between January-March, it’s an excruciating waiting period that’ll either read “congrations!” or “we regret to inform you…”
“It’s scary to not know where you’re going when so many people around you have already committed to schools, which I believe is also a part of senioritis,” Cefalu states regarding anxiety about not being committed to a college yet.
Teachers can also attest to the prevalence of senioritis, especially 2nd semester, taking a turn from driven juniors that placed emphasis on their grades, to laid-back seniors, not placing as much importance on grades.
“I think a lot of it has to do with burnout, especially because you’re a senior, you’re so close to graduating, and a lot of things that are happening at the same time,” comments Ms. De La Cruz, an honors pre-calculus and AP Calculus teacher, regarding her thoughts on the reality of senioritis.
As an AP teacher, she doesn’t feel the need to coddle for those infected by senioritis, noting, “It’s hard for me to loosen up a bit and modify things because it is such a strict timeline,” when compared to her honors pre-calc class that is more lenient with its curriculum.
While there’s no cure for senioritis, it’s inevitable during 2nd semester. That’s not to say there are absolutely no remedies or further treatments to stay on track and have a bit of motivation regarding academics.
When asked about tips to combat senioritis, Ms De La Cruz remarks, “It really boils down to time management,” She continues, “If you are just as effective as possible with your scheduling, you’ll be able to enjoy your senior year.” In hindsight, the last semester of high school may seem insignificant, but seniors have come this far– so to end it off strong, it’s crucial to still stay on top of grades and make the most of this year.
While college applications aren’t grimly looming over as they were in junior year, it’s imperative seniors don’t slip due to other factors such as AP exams and contingency-based college acceptance conditions. Like The Tortoise and The Hare, you’re almost at the finish line towards graduation, but don’t take extraneous, unnecessary breaks, or trip and fall behind on the way there.
