When you’re a senior in high school, the last thing you want on your mind is doing more work than what you already have to do. Seniors have been plagued with the anticipation of graduating, entering adulthood, and finally taking on bigger responsibilities. We have put less motivation into our school work this year than we have over the past three years. This deficiency of ambition can only mean one thing: Senioritis.   

Senioritis, in general terms, is an illness that typically affects students in their last year of school. Though Senioritis is seen as more of a joke and less of an actual disease, the affliction is quite real. It is characterized by a lack of motivation and can spread from senior to senior. If not treated soon (properly), then the disease can lead to devastating effects.

Senioritis is seen as something that “just happens” and “goes away after a while.” If you’re like me, though, (and a plethora of other senior students), it doesn’t just go away. You look at Infinite Campus hoping that the next test you take fixes that alarming “D” in your progress report. You might even pray (despite not being religious) that your parents don’t ask for your report card when you get home. How many nights have you spent hunched over your Chromebook trying to get those DeltaMath assignments done? 

Familiar scenarios such as these are all symptoms of Senioritis. Senior year plays this huge facade where it seems like everything is easy and there’s little to no workload. I’m here to tell you that that is completely false. 

It begins with the mindset of “I’ll just do it tomorrow” or maybe even “next week.” When the work begins to pile up and the stress creeps up your neck, Senioritis starts to deteriorate your sense of priority. This procrastination can ruin the last year of your high school experience and have you constantly thinking about all the work that needs to be done. 

Senioritis then kills off your hope and pride. Your assignments are either being turned in extremely late (if they’re being turned in at all) or unfinished. There’s less effort being put into your work, but that aspect is unnoticed. Eventually, it becomes a habit because it doesn’t matter whether you try or not; You’re leaving anyway, right? 

At this point, Senioritis has fully taken over the brain. Nothing in high school has its importance anymore besides personal relationships. You might’ve been accepted into a college already so your efforts in high school now are insignificant. The only thing that becomes clear is how soon everything is going to end. You might not see your best friends again after you leave, your teachers are going to forget your name and maybe even your face, and you’re scared to leave the comfort of your own home. 

The only solution to alleviate the severity of these stages is to prepare yourself before it even hits. Relish in small moments with family or friends. Make a solid foundation for yourself. If you’re a senior trying to pull yourself out of Senioritis, categorize your priorities in order of importance. 

Remember that the last four years of your life are coming to an end. Making memories is just as important as doing work, but don’t let that allow you to slack off. Fight Senioritis, as you’re going to want your last year of high school to go out with a bang.