By: Taylor Millis [Executive Yearbook Editor]

As the second term of the 2013-14 school year comes to a close, students become more and more melancholy about getting up early, homework and anything to do with school for that matter. This feeling is true for most students but is even more so for some seniors. Seniors begin to grow tired of the same school routine they have been stuck in for the last four years. The term that many have begun to use to describe these feelings is called senioritis.

According to merriam-webster.com senioritis is defined as “an ebbing of motivation and effort by school seniors as evidenced by tardiness, absences, and lower grades.” Symptoms of senioritis include not wanting to go to class, not completing homework, the acceptance of bad grades, and overall laziness when it comes to school related work. For some senioritis may set in before they even become a senior, and for others it occurs sometime during their senior year for high school. For those who have already begun to see signs of senioritis be aware that it may become even worse after the holiday break. The thought of senioritis getting worse is a scary thought considering that some have already contracted the “sickness” and the symptoms are in full effect. But don’t let senioritis make the last few terms stressful and unenjoyable. nacacnet.org has a few tips to help keep senioritis under control.

Step one, do not obsess. Seniors are not only worried about high school and extra curriculars, but they also have to worry about their future. Applying for college and scholarships is time consuming and stressful. Be sure that you along with thinking about the future, seniors are also taking time to be in the present.

Step two, talk about it. Senior year is full of emotions; stress, fear, sadness, excitement, and exhilaration. It’s a year full of lasts so that they can begin a future full of firsts. With all the emotions it is good to talk about it. Talk to friends, parents, guidance counselors, all who can help you manage the emotions that come along with the last year of high school.

Step three, plan ahead. With all the things that come along with senior year it is easy to get caught up in the craziness. Keep a calendar for deadline dates of admission applications and scholarships, also write down events, homework and test dates. This way all the craziness is written down and organized in a visual so that it is easier to see that it is possible to manage it all.

And finally, step four, have fun. Again senior year is filled with craziness but it is also filled with a lot of fun. Don’t over stress about all the things that need to be done and forget about all the fun things that are going on too. Senior year marks an important milestone for every student. It is a right of passage into the real world. Don’t let the craziness get in the way of the celebration that senior year should be.

Senioritis may be an epidemic that has plagued seniors across the country for many years, but it is a curable sickness. Remember to  breathe, plan and more importantly have fun. With those simple steps, senior year and senioritis will be manageable and enjoyable.