Opinion: Senioritis– Is It Actually A Thing?

As our first semester begins to come to a close, a lot of our seniors have one thing in common: a bad case of senioritis. For those unfamiliar, senioritis is a term used to describe a senior’s feelings of demotivation and burnout in regards to schoolwork as they reach the end of their high school careers. This procrastination and extreme apathy towards assignments is something that I think all seniors are experiencing right now… at least definitely our journalism seniors… sorry Ms. Hammond. However, here’s the big question: is Dee-Mack’s case of senioritis real, or are we just lazy?

Most college-bound seniors have a plethora of things to keep up with, and they have for a while. Some of these things include their GPA, AP classes, honors classes, dual enrollment classes, jobs, sports, and extracurricular activities; this does not include a student’s personal life outside of academic achievement. Juggling all these activities and trying to be outstanding at each and every one of them turns out to be extremely consuming and oftentimes leads to a burn-out, especially by senior year. Senioritis is, in most cases, the natural result of pushing yourself too hard and constantly trying to meet new expectations. 

Many people consider the whole point of high school being getting into college. So, consequently, when a high school senior receives their very first college acceptance letter, it often feels like they have finally crossed the finish line and achieved what they have been working so hard for. Once these acceptance letters begin rolling in, senioritis kicks in and most mistakenly believe that the rest of the school year doesn’t matter. However, this is most definitely a myth, and letting your grades slip can certainly lead to your acceptance being revoked! On the outside of college acceptance letters, most seniors also experience intense feelings of boredom. Most students see their senior year courses as nothing more than a hurdle they must jump over, and these classes become sources of solely frustration and stress. 

There are some ways to cure your senioritis, though. As a student, it’s very easy to let your academic career consume you, and no longer reserve moments for yourself. Making separate time for yourself might be something you find aids your motivation at the end of your high-school journey. Remember to pace yourself, and find strategies that actually work for you in regards to studying, homework, and all around schoolwork in general. Prioritize your coursework but remember that making new memories is just as important!

All of this being said, a case of senioritis is definitely very real. Although laziness can make your case of senioritis a lot more severe, it is not sole laziness that causes it! Senioritis is the outcome of a lot of things, including burnout, anxiety, and overall demotivation. So no, senioritis is not just an overused joke and a convenient excuse, it is a very real experience that affects countless high school students as they reach the end of their high school career. Senioritis does not completely define a student’s ability or potential, it is simply a reflection of how hard they have worked and the anxiety of a major life transition. And remember, acknowledging your senioritis is the first step towards managing it!