Senioritis is a supposed affliction on students in their final year of high school or college. Merriam-Webster defines senioritis as an, “ebbing of motivation and effort by school seniors as evidenced by tardiness, absences, and lower grades.” Senioritis has been a common theme amongst those in their last year of high school, and seniors here at Golden Valley high school have experienced that impact.
Students have expressed that having too much work as a senior causes them stress. Therefore they tend to miss school to avoid having to do their work. At Golden Valley there is a Loss of Privileges policy. It is a list of students who either have less than a 2.0 gpa and/or have had 10 or more tardies or absences. This policy adds to the stress of seniors.
Eileen Rodriguez and Joshua Moreno said,“We think it is unnecessary for seniors because we are just trying to experience every senior event for our last year.” They also added, “I did not expect seniors to have this much work and this little freedom.”
Eileen Rodriguez is a senior at Golden Valley High School. She has been struggling with school for at least a month now. It is common for students to have bad days here and there, but for Rodriguez it has been a constant thing. In terms of Rodriguez’s experience this school year, she has expressed, “It’s been whatever, it’s been a rollercoaster, I don’t want to come to school, I’m super stressed and want to end the school year already.” She tries to get good grades and attendance but the LOP policy is affecting that especially since she is struggling with showing up to her classes.
Rodriguez has been waking up late and not getting any sleep. Her job contributes to her tiredness but she values her experience in the work industry. She has expressed “It is a great experience to be working and going to school at the same time, because it helps me out later on in the future.” Rodriguez wants to make sure she finishes strong in school. She is trying to manage work and school, but it has been challenging for her to get used to.
Joshua Moreno, another senior at Golden Valley, says he does not have senioritis as Rodriguez does, but he is struggling to process that he is going to graduate soon. He described senioritis as,“When you’re nervous to graduate, you’re anxious and stressed out, and some people tend to stop doing their work.”
Moreno also struggles with getting to class on time and he lacks motivation to be there. He expressed that “going late to class, not doing his work, and getting distracted a lot” are some of his bad habits in school. He also tends to dissociate during class and finds it challenging to snap out of it.
Moreno believes it is hard being a senior with a lot of responsibilities. The most challenging part about being a senior is “to graduate especially when some students might be behind on either credits or work,” Moreno voiced. He feels that removing the LOP for seniors is a good idea because seniors want to experience all the events Golden Valley has to offer.
Senioritis is an affliction that dawns upon many seniors in their last year of highschool and students yearn for teachers to be understanding throughout their process. Rodriguez has expressed, “I want teachers to understand that we are just trying to balance our time and to try and be more understanding with us.”
The last year of high school is hard for many; seniors are trying to experience all of their senior events, while still keeping the motivation needed to finish strong. Although it may be hard, all seniors want is to graduate and experience every little thing before their last school year ends.
