We’re approaching the finish line as the senior class of 2023. The senioritis is beginning to spread and students, teachers, and parents can see it. Senioritis is an ebbing of motivation and effort by school seniors as evidenced by tardiness, absences, and lower grades, as defined by Merriam-Webster. Second semester is like mental warfare, trying to keep pushing through the last stretch of school, while at the same time striving for academic perfection. Mia Compas says, “Ever since I committed to college I just feel icky. Being assigned schoolwork senior year is disappointing and degrading.”

Personally I want to give in, I want to be done. But like many of my classmates I’m hoping to get into my dream school and make a difference, so giving up isn’t an option. Being a second semester senior is exhausting, I spend all my time stressing about college applications and my future. I’ve reached the point where I’ve put in all my effort for four years, my days of striving for perfection are done, at least for this school. I’m ready to move on to bigger and better things, I feel that I deserve a break. I’ve burnt myself out trying to get good grades and now that I’m close to the finish line I feel like my knees are buckling. Many of my classmates agree, “I just don’t want to do anything anymore.” Michael Peterson says.

Senioritis affects not only academics but athletics as well, “Senioritis has made me lose motivation not for school but for my sport.” says Kelli Jackson. I resonate with Kelli, trying to keep consistent in sports and academics at this time seems near impossible. I want to be understood by the teachers and coaches, instead of it being brushed off as “just lazy”. Realistically, a good chunk of seniors take advantage of this opportunity to be lazy. For those of us that cannot afford to be lazy it’s a true struggle, we are drugging through the days. Although senioritis might allow us to escape the stress of school, we unfortunately cannot escape the looming consequences. For example, we are all getting college applications done. Even though your dream school can send you an acceptance letter, they can revoke it later on due to your senior year grades. This can cause a dent in your reputation, your teacher recommendations can be disapproved and then your backbone is gone.

For those of us who are lost during this time of confusion, thankfully there’s an explanation to this madness. Senioritis is not defined as a disease, so why does it happen? It develops overtime while seniors stress about their achievement and whether they’re enough. The idea of self worth needs to be prioritized during the college admissions process. Self worth and whether or not a student gets into a school is not comparable. It’s our job to make the most of our experiences at our new schools, no matter where we might be. Having a finish line mindset that we are almost there but not quit is not helpful either. To help we need to focus on the near future like our upcoming winter formal or sports games. We experience boredom from the years of sitting in the same classrooms and learning what feels like the same stuff. Try adding something new to brighten up your everyday schedule.

As seniors we also experience fear of the unknown and denial, whether we want to admit it or not. But mostly anticipation: we are consistently anticipating what life after high school is going to be like. We are excited for a life full of new friends, new places, and most of all no parents. All these very normal things contribute to widespread senioritis across the nation for all seniors. But for some it hits later than others, Ella Bloom expresses,“Senioritis didn’t hit the first semester but on the first day of second semester it came onto me like a wave.” I’m not asking teachers to cancel all work, but instead possibly finding a course program to keep us excited to learn. During that time we as a class can create a schedule that cuts down the clutter and allows us to focus. Meeting halfway, both teachers and students. Don’t get me wrong here, I can’t afford to fail, but maintaining my course load feels just as heavy. Seniors might not want solutions to this epidemic but I’ll provide some quick tips.

First, acknowledge that there is a problem. Just keep pushing, especially in the hardest times. Organize your life, make it as easy as possible for yourself to succeed. Remember your teachers are there to help. Strike up a conversation on the possibility of finding a course program to keep students excited to learn. Try to meet halfway with your teachers, they are trying their best. Relax, extra stress is only harmful. Set priorities, include time to hangout with friends and do what you love most. Make sure you’re studying smart, don’t use any extra energy wasting time. Lastly, persist only a few more weeks left, goodluck seniors!