BY MARCHELLE COLLINS

We have officially entered the second semester and the all-knowing “senioritis” has come into effect full force for most of us seniors. Senioritis is the word for decreased motivation and academic efficiency in someone’s final year of high school. This is caused by the overwhelming amount of work we have put into school for the past twelve years. The biggest problem with senioritis is it causes a downfall in academic performance and could even become a mental health risk. It is important that seniors stay calm and locked in throughout even the roughest phases like senioritis.

Losing value in life can be unmanageable when everyone’s so swept up in school. Especially considering that consuming yourself in work is a social norm. Although, reminding yourself of the idea that there is more to life than school, and that we work to live life comfortably rather than we live life to work is helpful in keeping yourself together. Taking breaks to do other things like : practice other hobbies, spend time with people, etc. makes it easier to find a way through it and even remain happy as you go.

Another thing that is helpful for the route to success is making sure you understand what you must and must not do in order to achieve graduation. Meeting with administrators about obligations, grades, or college classes will ensure that you are not putting effort into something you did not need, as opposed to putting effort into something you did not know you needed. In other words: giving yourself an academic checkpoint. 

The final way to prevent senioritis is including mental health in your top concerns. Sometimes we neglect our mental health because we cannot physically see the harm caused to it. Our mental health is highest at risk when someone has senioritis. Making sure we are finding ways to improve our overall health, and taking mental breaks are key to locking in for the year and putting senioritis in check. 

The year is ending and we have made it to the last half of senior year. In these times, the stress from school can become overbearing and even drag us into depression. In spite of that, understanding that you’re not alone through this is going to be very influential for your situation. If you’re feeling stressed out just know the person beside you is stressing over the same thing, and we will get through it like most others have. Finishing the year off strong and remembering how to keep yourself motivated through the season of senioritis must be our goal for the rest of the year.