The Dangers of Senioritis
Senioritis. Not as gross as other viruses, but real nonetheless. It is commonly conceived as the general sense of apathy that plagues students during their senior year of high school. It is most prevalent among second-semester seniors but incidences have been known to occur throughout first semester as well. Typical symptoms include a lack of motivation, an indifferent attitude towards all-things-school, procrastination, truancy, and a decrease in morning showers.
Side Effects of Senioritis
Side effects can prove most perilous when combined with the assumption that colleges don’t take your senior year into account. This fabrication prompts a number of virus-ridden students to not only take blow off classes but to also slack off in them. In reality, colleges look at both the rigor of your course schedule and the grades you receive. Students who’ve already been accepted to school can jeopardize their acceptance if their grades drop substantially.
Admission is contingent upon completing your senior year in a satisfactory manner, and it is not uncommon for colleges to rescind acceptance offers. Also, many college freshmen are finding themselves unprepared for classes requiring basic reading, writing, and math skills. They are required to take remedial courses, which cost money and time but often do not count towards graduation credit.
The RX: How to Cure Senioritis
Before you garner a reputation of loose morals, how can you avoid senioritis? Scientists have yet to find a cure but you can take preventive measures to reduce the risk of contracting the illness:
- Concentrate on an activity that you care about and will be able to maintain an interest in. It can be a sport, club, community service project, or part-time job — anything that will keep you focused and motivated.
- Stay organized with course work and college applications. The more overwhelmed you become, the easier it is to lose interest and motivation. Keeping ahead of the game should help diminish senioritis symptoms.
- Check if your school offers off-campus internships in exchange for course credit. Receiving real-world experience might boost your overall morale and prove more stimulating than sitting in a classroom.
- Take a course or two at a local community college. Classes taken in a different setting can be refreshing and might revive your interest in school.
