If you’re a student in high school, whether you’re an underclassman or a senior, you’ve likely heard of the term senioritis; a term used to describe seniors who start falling behind in grades, attendance, and extracurricular activities. It’s often referred to as a joke, but is it real? And more importantly, does it actually affect seniors?
In short: YES!!
While senioritis is real, it’s not literally a medical condition. It’s more of a colloquial term. But it does affect people in their last year of school. Many seniors fall into senioritis for a multitude of reasons. One of the reasons is simply because it’s the last year. Many seniors at this point have jobs or are in college classes and believe high school isn’t as important, but that’s exactly why it should be! If seniors don’t get back on track, colleges and job interviewers can and will see that slope on transcripts.
Another reason for senioritis is that seniors often lose motivation near the end of high school. Many students are only taking the last few required classes they may have and fill up gaps in their schedule with classes they feel are easy to pass. This can also cause a general disinterest in school itself. Seniors won’t want to show up or participate in a class if it’s not important to them. To combat this, seniors should try to take classes that are of interest to them, not just because they’re ‘easy’.
Mental health can also play a huge factor in senioritis. Senior year is stressful; it’s when things get real. Students have to decide whether they want to go to college or go into the workforce, which is a major decision. They’re often under heavy stress, which is what may be causing a decline in their academic performance. It’s important to rely on teachers and parents for support during this time to manage the level of stress they’re experiencing. A small break might even be what’s best. However, Southern New Hampshire University advises that while it’s important to take a break, set a limit so you don’t fall off completely.
Many people believe that senioritis is just an excuse for seniors to be lazy, but it’s truly a struggle for some. Senioritis is the equivalent of burnout, and it’s an issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. If not, it’s possible that a senior could ruin years of academic progress within two semesters.
If you or someone you know is struggling with senioritis, it’s important to remember this: getting to that finish line and realizing you don’t have to work as hard doesn’t mean you should stop trying at all.
Instead, finish with momentum.