By: Rozlyn Williams
While the second semester brings forward excitement for the next step in the paths of seniors, a contagious disease also comes along: senioritis. The approach of springtime symbolizes the time where all seniors bloom into their new lack of motivation and perseverance when it comes to their education. Work becomes procrastinated, grades begin to drop, and effort begins to become lost. Many possess the opinions that they have already received their scholarships and been accepted to their proper schools, therefore causing them to just breeze through the last semester. Many students at El Diamante have already been affected, giving their opinions on how the infectious disease has impacted their last grueling semester.
Whether it be defined as being tired of coming to school and just wanting to be home, a block where one just feels completely unmotivated and drained, or as the complete loss of just wanting to come to school in general, many seniors struggle with the overall idea of how to overcome the grueling second semester.
Students tend to go through this extreme physical and emotional response through the idea of being able to see the finish line after the past four years of their schooling experiences. They develop the idea that they no longer have to try as much, as most of the effort was already put in to reach their graduation destination. There is no longer the stress of college and scholarship applications or the demands that come with getting back into the school groove from summer break. Once the second semester hits, seniors feel as if they can step back and take a breath from the high school experience, knowing that more than likely by this time, they are already familiar with what their future entails. Students tend to give up and take too much of a break, without taking into account the true consequences this mental block truly brings.
Not only that, but one of the most major impacts that Senioritis has on the El Diamante campus, is the big divide that it creates between students and their teachers. Communication is not properly used and we feel as if we are not understood in the schooling system during the final moments of our high school careers. We tend to take the stresses of anything from our classes or the broadness of our futures out on our teachers.
When asked how this contagious case affects his classroom, El Diamante shop teacher, Mr. Monterio, stated the following: “Senioritis has definitely affected my motivation when wanting to do extra things for students in class. I want to do good things for my classroom, but when students don’t feel like participating, it [lessens] my overall motivation.”
Despite that, Mr. Monterio has learned to put himself in the shoes of his students. He reminisces back on the time when he was in school, to relate to their problems and attempt to find common ground when working out solutions in his classroom. In my opinion, I believe that students need to be more open minded to the idea of communication with their teachers. They are there to help us and motivate us through this massive mental block in the final push of high school. More importantly, when the situation is properly expressed, teachers can maybe understand us more than we truly realize. Through more engagement in classes and working to find this common ground, I believe that students and teachers alike can work to persevere through this most challenging obstacle.
The right motivation and mindset is what can truly help students adapt to this newfound lack of motivation. Senior, Rhiannon Brinkman, states, “Knowing that I have a free 6th period and learning to have a balanced schedule works to keep me motivated throughout the whole school day”.
Although it may be difficult, it is important to utilize your time properly, balancing your schedule to work out what’s best for your own stresses. In this last semester, it is okay to step back and take a break sometimes. However, we must always remember to come back stronger from these small mental breaks, knowing this is our last chance to give it our all in high school.
Along with that, senior Elise Garcia, states, “I stay motivated by thinking forward to what my future is going to look like. I have to remember that this is only temporary and a good outcome is waiting in the end. As of right now in high school, working to find the right people to spend my last remaining time with in high school motivates me to come to school”. Knowing that if we keep up our motivation, we are working to develop strong work ethic and great perseverance habits that will help us all in the long run of our futures.
To those who need to hear it most: start out strong giving it your all, as it is easier to slowly begin to dip down, yet come back stronger. If you start out in the negative mindset of low motivation and lack to do your best, you will struggle to maintain your full potential and abilities in the long run.
Mr. Perez, (El Diamante Civics, Economics, and AP Gov teacher) states, “If you put the work in in the beginning, you get rewarded by being able to be lazy in the end of it all”.
While you may feel as if you are already in the deep grasp of the senioritis blues, it is okay to take a step back and reflect on your own current situation and stresses. It is never too late to start over and develop a last little push of motivation, taking into account the positives it could have on our teachers, fellow classmates, and most importantly our own mindsets as we take this next leap into the journey of our futures.