As seniors approach graduation, some struggle to stay motivated and keep up with the many responsibilities they have at this point in the year.
This struggle is also known as senioritis, and here at Haven, some students have been experiencing it for a year or more.
The root of senioritis varies among students. Some share that their senioritis started prior to their senior year. Others note that it stems from stress related to exams, applications, and thoughts of the future.
Counselor Marlena O’Kane says that she sees senioritis often beginning at the start of second semester, but spiking after spring break.
“I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that they’ve solidified their post secondary plan, whatever direction they are going in—work, military, gap year, college, or whatever that looks like,” she said. “[Seniors] know what their plan is and that just makes it harder for them to keep up with their responsibilities in school.”
However, extreme senioritis might impact those future plans.
According to reporting from NYU, many seniors think their college admission is locked in after an acceptance letter arrives. Yet many colleges include a clause that allows them to rescind their offers if senior year grades drop, according to College Board.
Since many colleges don’t receive final grades until June or July, students may find they’ve lost their spot if their grades reflect an extreme drop.
Haven seniors were open about their struggles.
Senior Sophie Kersun shared that her senioritis shows up in the form of arriving at school late. Kersun said that waking up in the morning has become increasingly difficult as the school year comes to a close. She has also struggled with finding motivation to complete assignments.
“I’ve been late, like a lot. I have math first block and my math teacher already emailed my parents twice about being late because I just really struggle to get up in the morning. And waking up for school has always been hard but it’s especially hard now,” Kersun said.
For some, senioritis started much earlier than spring of 2023.
Senior Claire Lowry shared that her senioritis started abnormally earlier compared to her peers—specifically, sophomore year.
“When did my senioritis start? Honestly, sophomore year,” Lowry shared.
Senior Nick Cardi has also struggled to stay motivated through the end of the year.
“At this point I‘m just doing what I can and getting as much as I can done. It’s really just about getting the work done even if it’s not the best you could’ve done,” he said.
Cardi shared his appreciation for the teachers that acknowledge and validate senioritis.
“I really appreciate how, here at Strath Haven, teachers recognize Senioritis too. The other day one of my teachers pulled me and a few other students aside just to thank us for trying our best, so I feel like there’s some level of acceptance of Senioritis here and I really like that,” Cardi added.
According to O’Kane, senioritis is considered a rite of passage for seniors, and teachers are aware of it and how challenging it can be. Her advice to seniors struggling to motivate themselves is to focus on what’s ahead without losing the work you have put in for four years.
“Keep reaching for your goal. You’ve all done great here,” O’Kane said. “You deserve a fun end of your senior year, but keep motivated to get to the finish line.”
That finish line is a motivating factor. Senior Gianna Umile says her main motivation is “the light at the end of the tunnel”.
