With college applications coming to a close in November to February, many senior students are now waiting on university acceptance letters. This brings up the conflict of student motivation because many students now see their goals as completed, commonly referred to as “senioritis.” However, is it a real issue, or rather an excuse for students to slack off?
The majority of students get their motivation for high grades on tests and assignments from the pressure put on them by colleges. This is why sophomore and junior years are considered the most difficult because that is when colleges are looking at student’s results the most.
Even the first-semester of senior year is a challenge for students because they now need to balance schoolwork, extracurriculars and sports with college applications and supplemental essays and questions.
Once college applications are submitted, seniors are no longer bound to perfect grades due to college. Naturally, many begin to struggle with motivation to keep attendance and grades up.
Gabby Mansour (12) is committed to the University of Denver and says “I definitely think Seniorits is a real thing, especially once you’re committed to a college. Up until that point it’s just burnout, but it’s senioritis when you realize you’re not exactly working towards a goal like college anymore, you’re just in school to finish the credits you need to graduate. I’m starting to have it, but it’ll hit more later on, after spring break for sure.”
While for some students the lack of motivation comes from the lack of a goal, other students are just focused on making it through their senior year.
“I believe that Senioritis is a real thing, I have learned that many teachers believe it is just an excuse students give as a way to relieve the tension of getting their work done, but it is more than that. There is a genuine feeling of dread that comes with the feeling of doing work and I think it’s because it means one more assignment done is closer to graduating and leaving the cycle we have been a part of and grown comfortable with over four years now,” states Brandi Robinson (12).
This is the last time the seniors will get to experience public school life, and it’s hard to let that routine go even if it means moving onto bigger and better things.
However, for most students it’s not just the lack of academic pressure, but the resulting burnout from the work put in the last three years of school.
It’s hard work getting to graduation day, and the second semester of senior year is the time when students feel at most ease when it comes to academics.
There’s no denying that there’s repercussions to slacking off; however, it’s also important to remember how hard students have worked to get to this point.
With applications now coming to a close, there’s no denying that there is widespread lack of motivation amongst the senior student body.
