If you’re a senior in highschool and have come down with a mysterious illness with symptoms that include the following: demotivation to do work, turning in late assignments, coming to school late and procrastination, you might have a case of… Senioritis. Yikes!
SD Senior, Molly Ellis, summed up this GPA-dropping disease nicely:
“It’s a miracle we all show up.”
Obviously, that’s a bit of an exaggeration…sort of. Because the truth is, many seniors feel this way. But don’t worry, this article will give you burnt-out seniors tips to finally make it to the end of the school year.
Now, I know what you younger classmates, teachers, or parents might be thinking: Is senioritis actually real, or are the students just getting lazy? That is a valid yet inaccurate presumption. So, let me tell you from a seniors perspective. High School is like a race, with one big finish line (graduation). For the four years of high school, students have been at a full sprint, tackling AP courses, final exams, work, competitive sports, college applications and family responsibilities, all while trying to maintain a social life. This is not easy! Seniors are tired and have been running on fumes for a while now. By the time we reach the final stretch – those last few months before graduation – it’s not about giving up or getting lazy, it’s about mental and emotional exhaustion inevitably catching up to us. Senioritis isn’t just a lack of motivation; it’s the natural result of years of constant pressure, high expectations and limited rest.
Additionally, most SD students have chosen a college for the year ahead. In fact, some seniors, such as Maya Bar-Cohen, receive their early action/decision letters in December and spend the entire second semester knowing where they are going to school. Bar-Cohen publicly announced her decision to go to Tulane University on the SD next steps instagram page in early December. She comments on how getting into your dream college so early is exciting, but also can be demotivating. When that major milestone is secured, it’s only natural for motivation to dip.
“Once I got my early decision letter in December, it felt like a huge weight was lifted, but it also made it way harder to stay motivated,” Bar-Cohen said. “I knew where I was going, so it was tough to keep putting the same energy into assignments.”
With future plans already set, it is hard to not look forward to next year, and all too easy to bypass present school work and stressors.
Furthermore, senioritis can be caused by a change in priorities. All the excitement of next year — moving to a new place, expanding your current world and finally gaining more independence — also comes with uncertainty. As the clock to May 31st clicks down, a harsh reality settles in: We will never be in this moment or with these same people ever again.
To quote Mrs. T, Director of Student Activities and AP US History Teacher: “Don’t wish this time away.”
And honestly, that’s what many of us are trying to do. Instead of giving every ounce of energy into homework, we’re choosing to make memories, be present and savor these last few months before everything changes. Now is the time to make up with people you fell out of touch with, connect with your younger siblings and spend as much time with your friends as you can. If that means a few missing assignments, so be it.
My mom, Ashley Hellyer, recently gave me, and all seniors, some advice.
“This next month will go by super fast. Be where your feet are,” Hellyer said. “You will never get this time back, and it’s a memory you will think about for decades.”
And she’s right. You’ll never be an SD senior again. These memories are once-in-a-lifetime, and they matter. That said, no matter how strong the case of senioritis, there’s one thing you can’t forget: you do still need to pass your classes (I know, buzzkill, but it’s true). So below are some tips to keep focused so you don’t have to repeat this year!
Tip #1: Break down school work into smaller chunks, so it does not seem so daunting. If you have an essay due Friday, tell yourself to do the introduction on Wednesday. Once you get started, the task will seem much easier when you have a plan. Oftentimes when I start an assignment, I just keep going with it because I get in the flow. Your original goal of writing only the intro could turn into a couple body paragraphs. Spacing out work is really important, and if you can learn how to do it now, it will greatly help in college and beyond.
Tip #2: It is okay to do the minimum, but only if you’re strategic about it. I understand choosing to get your target out in Senior Assassin rather than doing a math worksheet that’s worth 5 percent of your grade, but I don’t understand not turning in your 50 point summative worth 55 percent of your grade. If you slack, be smart about it! Prioritize large tests, AP classes and summative projects.
Tip #3: Use focused time blocks like the Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of work, 5 minute break. This keeps your brain sharp and prevents burnout. It is easy to look up Pomodoro studying videos on youtube, and the video with calming music, visible timers/countdowns and built in breaks will help you keep on track.
Tip #4: Give yourself something to look forward to after doing work: 20 minutes of Netflix, a dessert, FaceTime with a friend. Your brain craves rewards, so you can use them to your advantage.
Lastly, remember, while senioritis is real, so is everything you’ve worked so hard for these past four years. Whether you’re sprinting, jogging, or crawling to graduation, just remember, it is okay to be tired. You’ve earned it, but you can’t let the burnout stop what you started. So pass your classes, make lifelong memories and enjoy what’s left of the year. Because even if it doesn’t feel like it now… you’ll miss this.
