Senioritis
Senioritis is the colloquial name for the decreased motivation toward studies displayed by students who are nearing the end of their high school, college, and graduate school careers, or the end of the school year in general, though is mostly said to occur in senior-level students. Senioritis is not a professionally recognized medical condition, but a colloquial term (in the United States and Canada) that combines the word senior with the suffix -itis, which technically denotes inflammation but refers to a general illness in colloquial speech.
| Senioritis | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Depression, apathy towards study |
| Risk factors | Depression, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, preexisting mental disorders |
Consequences
In more serious cases, where students allow their grades to drop significantly, to the point of even failing, universities may rescind offers of admission.[1] Nonetheless, most colleges rarely rescind, and even the most elite schools only revoke a very small number of students.[2] Neglect towards schoolwork in high school may cause incoming college freshmen not to be as adequately prepared for the rigor of college level studies, and may decrease their ability to gain entrance scholarships.
The time gap between college and university admissions, which are usually decided by March or April, and final exams, which usually are not until early May (e.g. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes), provides a challenge to seniors who may be feeling unmotivated toward their schooling.
Strategies to avoid senioritis
There are multiple procedures in which any individual dealing with senioritis can use in order to avoid it all together. Setting goals, including both short and long term, could be employed to keep one motivated.[3] Another strategy is taking a break, and resetting ones mind, which could potentially alleviate a person of stress, and prevent educational burnout.[3] One could also reward their accomplishments, no matter the size. This one can provide a sense of pride and help somebody acknowledge what they have done.[3] Lastly, an individual could avoid staying in the same spot for too long, which may be very significant for those who enjoy spending large amount of time studying in one location.[3]
Proposed solutions
James Coleman, writer and Chairman of the President's Panel of Youth, urged changes in the high school curriculum to address the problem of senioritis. These concerns gave rise to the implementation of a "Senior Semester" in many high schools throughout the country, which allowed seniors to spend time outside the school or attend seminars in their specific interests.[4]
The College Board, the National Youth Leadership Council, and other youth-serving organizations suggest that there are many ways schools can help young people make the most of their senior year instead of succumbing to the temptation to take it easy once graduation is assured. Giving young people opportunities to make their academic work more meaningful through service-learning, or other forms of experiential education, can increase students' academic aspirations.[5]
See also
References
- Schevitz, Tanya (October 10, 2006). "Colleges crack down on taking freshmen with 'senioritis'". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
- Mathews, Jay (February 4, 2008). "In Praise of Senioritis". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
- nair, madhu (2020-08-05). "What Is Senioritis? Need-To-Know Causes And Cures". University of the People. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- Marks, Julia (12 April 2020). "Head-To-Head: Should We Implement Senior Month?". The Parker Weekly. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Martin et al. "The Impact of Service-Learning on the Transitions to Adulthood", Growing to Greatness 2006 St. Paul: NYLC, page 19. Archived December 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
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