Jennifer Angelo is a high school senior and a contributor to The Princeton Review’s IN blog.
Late last month, all my motivation to do homework, study, and go to school just disappeared.
I had senioritis.
It was somewhat surprising, as I usually wouldn’t dare miss a day of school or skip an assignment. It was also inevitable: part of me was screaming for a break.
College Board has a nice summary of the senioritis mentality:
You have worked hard for three years, taking tests, completing projects and preparing for college admission. It’s tempting to just get through college applications and relax before you head off to college.
That was me in a nutshell. Applications were finished, and the new year—graduation year—was rolling around. I wanted to relax.
Unfortunately, my senior-year commitments (APs, finals, projects, college interviews, etc.) didn't provide me with a reprieve. If anything, my desire to ignore them made them even more difficult.
I now understand that I cannot hide from my school commitments. When my final senior-year grades are sent to the college of my choice in June, the admissions staff will be on high alert for signs of senioritis. My acceptance will be revoked if my senior-year grades aren’t consistent with those of the prior three years. The logic behind such a decision would be simple: “Why would she work hard in college if she is slacking right now?”
So, as much as I’d love to rebel against the perfect student I’ve always been, I can't do it. Knowledge of the current stakes makes me continue to work hard. Senioritis may haunt me, but it doesn't control me.
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