“Senioritis.” The disease almost all seniors obtain come second semester. Although most seniors make their best attempts to maintain the motivation they have had for the past three years of high school, senioritis is almost inevitable. With college applications taking up most of the first semester and many decisions being released at the beginning of second semester, seniors find themselves slacking off since they already know their future plans.
Elaina Cracchiolo ’25 sees senioritis as existing solely because students feel their future is already set in stone. With that being said, Cracchiolo has curated a routine to help herself not fall into the hole of senioritis.
“I think that senioritis exists because most people have already gotten into the colleges that they wanted to by second semester, so they don’t really feel the need to try as much,” Cracchiolo said. “For me, I have created a balanced routine where I try to get everything I can done in school, so after school I can go to the gym, hangout with friends and relax.”
Frankie Lulis ’25 has taken a different approach to senioritis than Cracchiolo. Despite Lulis being accepted into her dream school, she has maintained the work ethic she has utilized over the past three years.
“After being accepted into college, I have continued to stay focused because of the goals I have set for my high school academic career, whether it’s achieving a certain grade or simply staying organized,” Lulis said.
Living in the moment and being able to realize there are still many months of school left has also allowed for Lulis to maintain her motivation to work hard in school.
“With midterms just around the corner, it has been a great reminder for me to stay focused and that I am still months away from graduating,” Lulis said.
Others find motivation during second semester due to being deferred from their top schools. Duncan Richards ’25 has been maintaining his grades from the past three years and will try to continue to do so since he doesn’t have the reassurance of an acceptance yet.
“Since I know colleges will still be looking at my grades, I have definitely made my best effort to keep my grades consistent throughout the years,” Richards said.
Henry Tiderington ’25 has found that school policy within sports is what is going to help him maintain good grades come second semester.
“I have worked hard over the years to get into the college I want to go to, and now that I have been accepted, it has been hard for me to maintain motivation to try in school,” Tiderington said. “However, since I play lacrosse in the spring the eligibility rule will keep me motivated in school.”
South is consistently helping seniors to avoid “senioritis” and Lulis has recognized that even though the future is exciting, living in the present and enjoying attending South for only a few more months will help keep students on the right track.
“Although I am very excited for my next journey, I try to stay in the moment because there are only so many months left of being a student at South,” Tiderington said.
