We’re humans, not machines. Our bodies are made of blood, not cogs. We can only use our fuel to go so far before we burn out. Since we are so close to the finish line, we are expected to slam our foot on the gas pedal. But the reality is that, if we speed it to the finish line, we will miss all of the small stops along the way that makes the ride so memorable in the first place. 

Although not a deadly disease, there are symptoms and known solutions to this continuous debacle, senioritis. Symptoms include but are not limited to: procrastination, low energy in class, headaches after a long day of school, tear-stained homework pages, and hitting ‘snooze’ on the alarm clock enough times to the point you just skip a whole school day.

While most people have experienced academic burnout, senioritis hits at a crucial time for students. Although junior year is full of exams that determine if you graduate or not, you can still flunk as a senior as there is the Civics exam to worry about – amongst others. A reason for this happening can be the idea that the finish line is so close but far.

“We have been preparing and working towards our next chapter in life for the past three-and-a-half years at the same constant pace,” Adeline Agnew, 12, said. “So when you start getting opportunities to enter the next chapter of your life, you start to slow down in school because you are not only exhausted but relieved.”

After 12 years of schooling, it is valid to be fatigued and want school to be over. To quit stressing about the next assignment and instead enjoy your time with people that you might not be seeing after your graduation caps are flying through the air. The year when you turn 18 and all of a sudden, a heap of burdens is laid upon your shoulders. But not only is there a mass of new responsibilities but there is also unrestricted freedom. 

Is it possible that the open horizons are causing a decrease in school performance? Even if so, is it justified? It’s reasonable as these are the last few months of high school – a time to explore your interests and find comfort in who you are as an individual. While these are important factors, there are definite methods to avoid your reduction in grades.

“Luckily, senioritis didn’t really affect anything grade-wise. I’ve just had a lack of motivation to get up for school and I’ve found myself procrastinating more,” Kaylie Gringas, 12, said.

This behavior could easily result in poor academic performances as assignments pile up in the gradebook. Although not a doctor, I can confidently say there are solutions to make things better. Everyone caters to who you are as a person, but options are spring cleaning, journaling, and dedicating a Saturday to yourself. All of these methods are in hopes of clearing your mind from the responsibilities of school so that you can start off a new week as fresh as a daisy.

Having a refreshed atmosphere to work in (which is typically your room) can make you feel more at peace. As for journaling, it can help with those who are procrastinators. I was a terrible procrastinator until I bought a planning journal to keep myself accountable. Adding checkmarks on each task also gives me self-satisfaction – like an achievement of its own. 

I empathize with seniors undergoing the fatigue and feeling of loss that comes with the so-called senioritis. Schools bombards you with endless assignments and due dates to the point that there is hardly a time to mentally reset. Pile this on for weeks to months and you have a disaster. It’s a constant cycle of work, so knowing the end of it is coming so soon gives the motive to slow down the pace of school.

To every senior: enjoy your last year of high school. Life after will come together seamlessly in due time. Stress is the main factor of this so-called “senioritis.” Make sure to take time for yourself to reset when studies become tedious. 

Enjoy your last ride, ‘23.