Stephanie Cook
Every year, the graduating class comes to a point where they are sick of being in high school. This idea is associated with the word: senioritis. Once college acceptance letters and financial aid packages are received, many students don’t see the reason to keep trying academically. In Colonie High School, the class of 2015 differs on when they believe senioritis hits and its effects.
Katelyn O’Keefe, a member of the senior class, believes that senioritis is triggered when students begin receiving acceptance letters from colleges. Once kids start planning out there future, “What’s the point?” O’Keefe states. She is a firm believer in senioritis and claims that she has had the disease for months now. O’Keefe defines senioritis as, “The feeling of not wanting to be in school or do work because you’re going to college.” Senioritis makes students lazy and less likely to maintain their high marks from previous years. I asked O’Keefe if she had any words of advice for students struggling to make it through senior year, and she said, “Just keep working hard because you need to pass high school first.”
Another senior, Aine Geraghty, has been struggling to get through her case of senioritis as well. “Ugh I’ve had senioritis since mid-junior year,” Geraghty states with a scowl. Senioritis has become a loss of motivation and a desire to sleep 24/7. Geraghty feels that, “Getting a zero for not doing homework becomes less painful than actually doing the assignment.” She believes that sending out applications begins the tragic epidemic, and once a student starts receiving acceptance letters it all goes downhill. It feels like “hitting a wall,” according to Geraghty, and then students just get overwhelmed by the full force of senioritis. Geraghty’s words or advice to struggling seniors are “to create a schedule laced with things that you enjoy”. For example, she comes home and has a snack because she enjoys food, then does an assignment. Then she chooses to watch a movie and get more work done. The key is a healthy balance.
As seniors continue to struggle with their lack of excitement for high school, it is important to keep in mind the end goal. The class of 2015 is almost at their 100 day countdown to the last day of school, and then the real world begins. Students must focus on the present in order to achieve future goals, and most of all; enjoy senior year. It only happens once.
