Many students are very familiar with the term “senioritis.” For those who aren’t, the Oxford Dictionary defines it as a “supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance.” After 12 years of school, many seniors find themselves in a similar, if not identical, situation as described.
Junior year is known to be the hardest year in a student’s high school career. It is dedicated to putting forth your best performance academically, athletically, and socially with the hopes to be seen as good enough by a variety of colleges and universities. The mental and physical burnout coming from that third year of high school is real, and so is the term for it. What are the chances junioritis is more of an “affliction” than senioritis? From my perspective, extremely high.
As a junior pushing through the final months of this school year, I can confidently say a majority of the stressors in my life will be put to rest once May 23 nears. Preparing for the SAT and ACT has consumed my mind and kindled a fear that my test scores will not suffice for college applications, or they won’t accurately reflect my capabilities as a student and as a person. Also, I need to work to keep my GPA at a respectable score that won’t cause admissions officers to turn a blind eye, all while maintaining a social life that is both enjoyable to have and admirable when described on a piece of paper. Rising seniors understand the pressure of crafting a life that makes them happy while also being impressive enough to have opportunities for success after graduation.
I understand that seniors often also have to continue this process, at least until they’re about halfway through their final year. However, I believe they have much more leniency since the previous three years of their life are going to be the majority of accomplishments displayed for admissions officers. Senior year is known as “the easy year” and “the final stretch”, so it is understandable people become unmotivated or simply quit trying. Similarly, junior year has these same effects, however, they are due to different reasons: the stress and exhaustion that comes with the hardest year in high school.
I don’t mean to discredit the position that seniors are in. I actually feel that seniors could attest to the fact that junior year is especially taxing and provokes this unenthusiastic mood. In my mind, however, it is also not any less extreme than the feeling of senioritis yet frequently goes unacknowledged. More recognition and justice is needed for the juniors who have another year still left after their hardest year of high school, because if that’s not considered demotivating, I don’t know what is.
