“Senioritis” is a commonly thrown-around phrase. It is used primarily by seniors in high school who are committed to college, yet feel trapped in the continuous cycle of “busy work” that comes with high school. 

It is often estimated that this “condition” starts towards the end of the second semester of senior year, however, as a first semester senior, it has shown up quite early, and not looked as I expected. 

I expected Senioritis to look like I was feeling desperate to be done with high school, sick of the 8:20-3:00 pm days and dreading every moment at school. While those feelings may arise later in the year, that is not the way that it has shown up this far in my own life.

I do not dread school days, because I still enjoy time with my friends. I am not (quite) yet desperate to get out of high school, because while I am beyond excited for college, I recognize that this time is fleeting. 

Instead, I feel what many would deem lazy. I no longer have the motivation to get perfect grades, I find myself much less inclined to try hard in a class, and I see most school work as pointless, considering I know what school I am attending, and my grades, while they still matter to an extent, are not as vital this year as they were last.

I now feel my mind is consumed less with how to get into college, and more with how to make the rest of my Senior year memorable. 

I think that the largest question to handle is whether or not I am tired of high school as a result of the constant striving for three years to get into the school, get the grades, get the homecoming date, get a good grade on my ACT and handle the pressures of growing up, or if I am truly growing out of this stage of life. 

I cannot yet determine if I am feeling drained due to my lack of motivation, or because I am ready to move on to the next stage in my education. 

I am ultimately trying to find the line between finishing this “race” of high school well, and also recognizing that senior year can be hard and filled with stress and pressures. 

It’s okay to be ready for the next chapter, while still trying to be present in the one that I am currently in.