Senior Slump

The alarm goes off, but getting out of bed feels harder than it used to. Homework that once felt manageable now feels pointless, and graduation caps and gowns seem a lot more exciting than another assignment. For many seniors, this feeling has a name: senioritis.

“I used to be very motivated and thought my grades were the most important thing, but I no longer feel that way,” said senior Avah Berlin.

As the year goes on, students say that loss of motivation becomes more noticeable in their daily routines.

“I have no motivation to get any work done, my grades have gone down a little bit. I've just stopped trying in a lot of areas of my education,” added Berlin.

Similar feelings are shared by other seniors, even if their experiences started earlier in high school.

“I’ve honestly struggled with motivation ever since freshman year, but being a senior has really intensified that. Especially because I don’t have most of my best friends with me anymore, as they’ve all graduated,” explained senior Shalini Mathai.

For some, senioritis becomes more apparent at certain points in the year, especially as major milestones pass.

“I'd say senioritis has kind of started to hit starting second semester, especially after coming back from the Europe Trip,” said senior Katie Proctor.

Senioritis isn’t always just about being lazy. Some seniors say it’s also about balancing multiple responsibilities at once.

“For most seniors, I think it is caused by an overall feeling of the end being in sight, with most seniors having plans for after graduation. For me, I think it has been caused by the substantial amount of responsibilities I have from my extracurriculars along with my tough course load,” Proctor added.

Being a student athlete can also add another layer of challenge during senior year.

“Juggling the passion to stay patient and determined with my sports at the same time as my school work makes it hard to stay positive through the process,” Mathai admitted.

However, not all students feel that their performance has changed significantly.

“My grades and daily habits are still pretty much the same, I've just had to find new places to study to stay engaged,” stated Proctor

For some, staying motivated comes from thinking about what lies ahead after graduation.

“I have stayed motivated by reminding myself that I still have schools I am waiting for a decision from, that schools will see my final grades,” noted Proctor.

Even with those pressures, seniors also say the final months can feel meaningful in their own way.

 “I’d say to take a second and enjoy where you are right now, and to enjoy the time with your family and friends before you leave and go on your own,” declared Berlin.

As graduation approaches, students make sure to focus on the present moment.

“I keep telling myself that I will miss this at some point in life, so I need to still take a second and appreciate it while it’s here,” Berlin reflected.