Arianna Peper
Editor-in-Cheif
Photo by Jasper Winterton
Senioritis, a term deemed by Merriam-Webster as the “ebbing of motivation and effort by high school seniors,” can have more detrimental effects than initially thought.
Jenny Lombard, college and career counselor and department chair, said it is likely that all students can run into issues with senioritis, yet some manage it better than others.
Lombard said it is sometimes just burnout, which “could look like stress that doesn’t let up, missing/skipping school, chronic tardiness, not doing homework, or even withdrawing from your normal social and extracurricular activities and relationships.”
As students enter second semester or begin to hear back from their college applications, senioritis often ensues.
Students can develop “anticipation of the next step, decision-making fatigue, or fear or uncertainty of next year,” Lombard said.
While students may assume that their senior year grades after finishing the first semester do not matter, this can be far from the truth.
Lombard said finishing core courses is extremely important for numerous reasons: “1) to not jeopardize college admission status. 2) making sure you perform well on AP Exams 3) learning content that will help in your first year of college (many students have to take a math placement exam this semester before registering for their first college semester).”
According to an article from the CollegeBoard, colleges reserve the right to deny admission to an accepted student “should the student’s senior-year grades drop. Admission officers can ask a student to explain a drop in grades and can revoke an offer of admission if not satisfied with the response.”
The article stated, “Because colleges do not receive final grades until June or July, students may not learn of a revoked admission until July or August, after they’ve given up spots at other colleges and have few options left.”
Additionally, the lack of study habits formed during the second semester may make the transition to college courses more challenging for students pursuing this path.
According to an article from The University of South Florida, “Senioritis leads to disengagement, which could lead you to miss out on crucial preparation needed for college-level coursework and expectations.”
As for how to cope with senioritis, Lombard said, “Pick two or three things that you want to focus on at school. Whether that is a goal for your spring sport, a grade in a class, or on an AP Exam.”
Lombard also stressed the importance of maintaining health habits, including getting enough sleep.
The University of South Florida also noted the importance of healthy habits such as nutrition and exercise.
By fueling one’s body with balanced meals and avoiding caffeine or sugary snacks to get through the day, one can gain the proper nutrition required to “stay sharp” and avoid drowsiness.
The article said regular physical activity can also “help reduce stress and improve your mood, making it easier to stay motivated and engaged.”
In addition to maintaining second-semester grades and habits, it is important to take time to enjoy the last semester of high school with friends, family and peers. Creating a balance between school and personal life can prevent burnout.
While loss of motivation can often be correlated with senioritis, according to Southern New Hampshire University, it can also be a sign of depression. Some other signs of depression include “anger/irritability, changes in sleep and appetite, lack of energy and loss of interest in hobbies, sadness and feelings of emptiness, and unexplained physical symptoms.”
Lombard said, “If you are noticing that you’re feeling ‘off,’ uninterested, or having major mood changes, talk to a trusted adult. That could be a parent, counselor, professional, etc. Ask your friends/family who are in their freshman year of college what they wish they had done as a second-semester senior.”
As second semester continues, it is important for students who are feeling unmotivated or experiencing symptoms of depression to seek out the support from those around them. By creating a balance between school and personal life, maintaining healthy habits, and reaching out to those around them for support, students can better navigate their final semester.
Arianna Peper–Editor in Chief
This will be Arianna Peper’s third year on ECHO staff. She made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year.|
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