ll share how you feel and find support with others around you!It is almost the end of the year, and it is the time of year when it starts to creep in, the dreaded and draining senioritis. Most of us have heard of this before and the effects it has especially on seniors who have reached the end of their high school journey. On top of the stress of college applications, many high school seniors can experience withdrawal and lack of energy toward their education. Despite some seniors utilizing the time to finish the year strong, most seniors still fall victim to it. This raises the question of how IHS seniors deal with senioritis. According to Grand Canyon University, “Senioritis is not a clinical term, but rather an everyday one that describes the decreased motivation seniors can experience as they approach the end of their studies. Many students may be feeling burnt out which is a natural response.” It is natural to understand that many seniors can feel burnt out as they reach the last months of the school year; however, seniors at IHS all agreed on another cause of senioritis. Senior Allyson Espinosa says, “The fact that we have already been accepted into a college plays a big part in senioritis since we feel like we do not need to try as hard anymore. For most of high school, we work really hard in our classes and extracurriculars with college applications in mind, but now that we know we are going somewhere in the fall, we do not feel the pressure to put in as much effort.” What many seniors do not understand are the consequences of senioritis. Grand Canyon University says, “Unfortunately, senioritis can lead to tanking grades, frayed family

relationships, and job-related consequences, such as the withdrawal from work opportunities.” It is common for many seniors to assume that after college application season is over their grades and whatever time they have left at high school is over as well. However, this mindset can greatly impact their futures as colleges can withdraw their acceptances. Luckily, this fact is one that IHS seniors keep in mind as they deal with senioritis. Senior Tyler Innes says that he tries to support his peers and friends by reminding them of their respective colleges’ rescind policies as a way of motivating them to keep going until the end of the year. University of the People says it best, “Imagine training for a year to run a marathon, accomplishing all the goals you set for your time, and then asking if running your hardest matters on race day. Losing your stride at the final hour could cost you everything you have already worked for. Senioritis does matter because of its consequences.”

Some of the most prominent symptoms of senioritis include a decline in grades, work ethic, and especially lack of attendance. Seniors at IHS reflected on how these factors have played a role in their senior years. Senior Eugene Park says, “My work ethic has most definitely been affected. I no longer had the desire to maintain “A’s” in my classes, resulting in myself putting the bare minimum effort in my classes.” Additionally, senior Katie Dennis adds that she feels as though she is procrastinating more than she usually would and Espinosa says, “I have been skipping classes a lot more frequently this year, especially now that AP tests are over and we are not learning content in classes anymore.”

One of the most debated aspects of senioritis is whether or not it is a valid reason for a student to miss class or if students should give in to senioritis in the first place. Park says, “With the much respect I have for teachers and the work they put in, no, senioritis is not a valid reason for students to miss a class. However, the urge to do so is most definitely profound.” In contrast,

Dennis adds that it is okay for seniors to slack off at the end after their hard work for the past four years. While senioritis can serve as an excuse for some seniors, it is important to consider that there might be deeper issues concerning students. We Are Teachers says, “Most 12th graders wind up with some version of senioritis, but sometimes the condition can hide something more deep-seated. This is an extremely anxious time of life for many. So much of what’s known and familiar is coming to an end, and they’re not entirely sure what the future holds.” It is important for teachers to consider this and continue to motivate and notice changes in students to help and support them throughout this time. Although it is up to teachers to guide students, it is also up to seniors to continue to make an effort and be engaged in their learning. Espinosa says, “I think we should all still try our best to show up because our high school experience is almost over. We should embrace it as much as we can before we enter college and cannot look back. I also think it is disrespectful to our teachers to constantly miss class and disrespect the effort they put into their lessons and projects.”

While dealing with the tumultuous highs and lows of senioritis can be daunting and taxing, the school year is almost over and for seniors it is almost the end of a long journey. Despite dealing with senioritis and the stress of what comes beyond it is good to look at what is ahead. National Admission for College Admissions Counseling says, “Talk about it. Senior year can be exhilarating and bittersweet—all at the same time. You and your friends catalog all the “lasts”— the last first day of school, the last football game, the last prom. But you’re also looking forward to graduating and starting college.” For seniors, try to enjoy the time you have left, it is okay to go through this phase, try to find balance and most of all share how you feel and find support with others around you!