The truth about senioritis

By: Janese Watson

Most people have heard of something called “senioritis.” If you have yet to hear about it then you probably are not a senior, because almost every senior has experienced it in some way, shape or form. “I didn't think I would ever be the person to get senioritis until a few months ago,” says senior Austin Mayer. If you are a senior and think you maybe haven't witnessed senioritis, give it time.  Senioritis isn't technically a bad thing because it happens to everyone, but why exactly does it happen? Why do people give up on things so easily their senior year more than any other year?
Senioritis is a supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance. This isn’t just a made up word people like to say. This is a real and reoccurring thing. “I do not have senioritis, being a senior just bores me,” explains senior Tenecia Clemmons. Researchers say boredom is thought to be a cause of senioritis. High school seniors are often not challenged in the second half of their senior school year. As their work becomes more and more unimportant and school fails to keep them engaged in learning, the more senioritis kicks in.
How can one prevent senioritis? Senioritis is a true disability for high school students. It can cripple a teen’s ability to learn and has some terrible consequences, many not unlike the consequences of risk-taking behaviors. ”It so hard to not have senioritis,” says senior Jake Rose. It may seem difficult, but there are ways to keep senioritis under control. Plan ahead, know your schedule and plan everything hour by hour. Find time to get your homework done. Most seniors get accepted into their dream college and give up on their old high school. Don’t give up on what you've worked hard for all your life. Think about it, senior year is a stressful thing. It’s been said it’s the easiest year by far, but that’s not always true. People have sports, college, and other activities to think about. Talk about everything with someone. Get everything off your chest and you will be less stressed. The last thing to do is to have a good time. It is your senior year, your last year of ever being in high school forever, so have fun.