You may expect effort and excitement from seniors in their final year of high school. Instead, many students exhibit the complete opposite. Eagerness to finish their academic career with determination turns into exhaustion. Many students often give up and lose motivation. This is due to something called senioritis.
Senioritis is a big factor for many high school students across the United States. A big part of this is due to people not being aware that it is an actual thing. Even those who have heard of it may think it is only a joke or an excuse. This is because parents and teachers often conclude that students are lazy. The reality is it makes high school very difficult for those affected by senioritis. It is important for anyone who may be under the effects of senioritis to be aware and know how to overcome it.
What is senioritis?
Senioritis may be something that you have heard of before. If so, you likely have not put much thought into it. Many people brush it off as a joke to not perform well. Ash Wallis is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University.
She states, “The term “senioritis” is a common affliction describing the lack of motivation felt by students who are reaching the end of their courses.” Wallis describes how many students lose a significant amount of academic motivation. This leaves them struggling to make it through the rest of the school year and graduation.
Why do students experience senioritis?
There can be many causes for senioritis, most of which are because the end of school is in sight. “Senioritis supposedly sums up the lack of motivation towards academic studies that seniors in high school experience as they finish their last year. As graduation and plans for after high school such as college nears, this apathy towards school can result in incomplete assignments, lower grades, and more absences,” said Lan Nguyen, a staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Nguyen talks about how senioritis is often played off as a joke. She claims that parents see it as an excuse for many students to not perform well in school. As if the only reason is due to being lazy and not wanting to do their work. Though, it is much more serious for some. Many students are also involved in sports and other extracurriculars. This often makes the effects of senioritis even more compelling.
When does senioritis occur?
Senioritis can occur at many different times throughout the year for students. Many experience senioritis throughout the entirety of the school year. For others, it occurs only in the beginning or end. One of the most common times for senioritis to strike is the last couple of months of school. This is usually due to students seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and wanting it to be over. It is also likely because of exhaustion from earlier months of the school year. The effects of senioritis can occur at any moment so it is important to know the symptoms and to prepare.
Who does senioritis impact?
When first thinking of senioritis, the people affected by it are usually students. Although that is true, there are many other cases in which senioritis affects others too. Seniors in high school are the ones who are most affected by senioritis. Senioritis can also have effects on students in other grades such as juniors. Even college students in their final years of school often feel the effects. This is usually due to excitement about the end of school and moving on to the next chapter in their life. Parents can also feel the effects of senioritis on their children. This is because they can struggle to keep their kids motivated and be their usual selves. Senioritis also often has a big effect on teachers. Lack of effort can affect the amount of exertion in the classroom. With missing assignments and lower test scores, teachers struggle to teach their students.
Where did “senioritis” come from?
Senioritis has been a word used by many for over 100 years. According to Oxford English Dictionary, “The earliest known use of the noun senioritis is in the 1900s.” This noun has been uncommon in the past but has usage has increased more over the years. “OED’s earliest evidence for senioritis is from 1907, in Chicago Alumni Magazine,” according to Oxford English Dictionary.
How can students overcome senioritis?
According to College Data, students can use many different tactics to combat senioritis. This includes staying engaged in academics by setting goals for yourself. This keeps students motivated to push through the school year. College Data also states you should make the most of the time you have left in high school. This is because it can be a meaningful and significant stage of your life. After all, senior year is the last time you’ll be in high school. So it is in your best interest to be thankful for it and spend time with friends.
Are there benefits to senioritis?
Senioritis is usually seen as an inevitable and distracting part of high school. Some may argue it to be the complete opposite. There are a few different ways senioritis can be beneficial for students. For example, it can give seniors a mental break after years of dedication to their education. It can also be a great learning experience for
students. This is by teaching them the importance of responsibility for their actions. This allows them to learn self-discipline to prepare themselves for the future. Students can also see senioritis as an opportunity to bond with their peers.
In conclusion, senioritis should be something that more people are aware of. It can make your final year of high school much more difficult than usual for those affected. Senioritis is the lack of motivation to finish school. This is due to things such as college coming up and exhaustion from previous years. There are many different ways for students to overcome senioritis. You can do this by staying motivated and looking forward to fun things in your last year of high school. Senioritis affects many students every year and more people should be aware of what it is. Knowing that it is a big factor in many students’ lives can help to create solutions to the problem.
