Senioritis

Raiders attacked by yearly 'Senioritis'
By Stephanie Meza

Senioritis, from the word senior plus the suffix -itis , is a term used in the United States to describe the decreased motivation toward studies displayed by students who are nearing the end of their high school years. The seniors at SOH can already feel that the end is near. There are just two more months left of high school, and after four years they'll finally move on to a new stage in their lives. For many seniors this is exciting, but for some the fact of growing up makes them nervous (this is called the "peter pan syndrome"). Being a senior, I know what that melancholic yet exciting feeling is like, here are what some other 12th graders think about leaving high school:

"I feel a mix of emotions, the feeling of accomplishment because after 4 years I finally graduate and move on to university but also the sad feeling of being attached for something for a long time. For example, my underclass friends." -Victor Andrade

"Even though I have been through many experiences, these four years of high school have somehow changed me for the rest of my life. I really feel great to end this phase and go out to the real world where all what I have read in books are going to not only be helpful, but are going to become real!" -Marco Mendizabal

"Well, I have many emotions about the fact that I am going out to the real world, in a way I feel like I am ready but at the same time I don't want to leave."-Vivian de Vega

"After being in high school for four years, it's time to graduate and explore the real world."-Lara Aquino

Now as the end of the school year is approaching, seniors can feel the "senioritis" kicking in. Senioritis can present itself in many ways, here are some of the things you might feel if you experience senioritis:
-Procrastination
-Lack of motivation
-Drop in academic performance
-A desire to drop out of school
-Ridiculous trouble waking up in the morning
-The act of going through classes with very little concentration or application of intent along with truancy and frequent tardiness

Many seniors who are experiencing senioritis think it's no big deal. They have this mentality that high school will be over soon, and if they mess up in their last semester, it wont matter. However, this idea is wrong. Here are some of the consequences of senioritis:
-Your grades will drop.
-If you have frequent uncleared absences, you might have to attend Saturday school, and if you fail to attend, you'll be placed in the non-privileged list. If you're in the non-privileged list you'll be excluded of senior activities such as: Prom, Grad night, and even graduation.
-As an incoming college freshmen, you may not be as adequately prepared for the rigor of college.
-A decrease in academic performance due to senioritis may also create difficulties, should the college decide to rescind the acceptance decision


In conclusion, senioritis only brings problems. However, at one point or another every senior might experience it a little. The key to senioritis is being in top of it, and not letting it control you. When it comes down to it, you need to have an optimistic view about finishing high school the right way. So if you feel you're experiencing senioritis, shake it off! Turn in your assignments, get to class on time, and be ready to learn! Just two more months left, FINISH STRONG!

Here at what seniors think of senioritis:

"I think many people don't think senioritis can happen but it sure can happen. I am not experiencing it, but I can feel it coming" -Cindy Yoquigua

"There's time I feel it but I always try to keep up with all my work because you get behind with senioritis." -Hugo Flores

"I think senioritis hits everyone at a certain point of the year, but with time we learn to confront it. I am going through it because I noticed that last progress report I was lagging it with all my work and I was turning everything late on my classes." -Mildred Rubio

"I think that senioritis is a stage that every twelfth grader goes through when they realize that high school is almost over. I'm not going through it but I did in first semester and when I saw that my grades where going down I decided to shake it off" -Christian Sanchez

"I was going through it at the beginning of the semester. I think it's hard to overcome but it is possible. I don't think it's only seniors though, all grades can go through it." -Brian Berman

"I think it's really a dumb concept. A lot of kids get lazy in high school despite what year they're in. Some are super busy their first few years and take the last year at ease and others are super lazy in the beginning and take their senior year to really freak out. It's a matter of your situation, not just because you're a senior you're gonna get lazy. I'm not going through it, I do what I can to keep my grades up and if I see myself slipping, I freak out because it's my senior year I want good grades." - Anissa Villa