If you were to ask seniors at South if they are experiencing senioritis, I can assure you the majority would say yes. The culture at South of maintaining strong grades, competing in athletics and preparing for admission into competitive colleges has weighed on seniors mentally and physically for the last four years of their lives. By second semester senior year, many students feel exhausted and burned out. While senioritis is often viewed as a lack of motivation, it is more accurately the result of years of constant pressure and sustained effort. Instead of dismissing senioritis as laziness, it may be time to reconsider policies that contribute to it, including required second semester senior finals.
Senioritis is defined as the burnout experienced by seniors that leads to a decline in academic motivation and attendance. Seniors have spent years proving themselves through difficult coursework, exams, extracurricular activities and college applications. By the time final exams arrive during eighth semester, most seniors have already decided their future plans and established their academic records. At that point, one cumulative test does not accurately reflect a student’s ability or effort over half a decade.
Second semester senior finals often do little to improve grades and instead create unnecessary stress. In many cases, they present more risk than reward, since this single test is known to lower the final grades of a student. This can leave students feeling discouraged, despite their consistent effort throughout high school. Required finals place excessive importance on one moment rather than recognizing long term academic performance.
Making second semester senior finals optional for students who meet certain academic and attendance standards would be the perfect solution. These standards, such as a minimum of a B in a class and not having been on an attendance contract, would incentivize students to try harder during the tiring eighth semester of high school. Students who uphold their side of the bargain would have the opportunity to opt out, with the option to choose to take the exam if they deem it the favorable option. This policy would reward consistency and accountability rather than relying on a single high-pressure test.
Optional finals would also motivate students to remain engaged throughout the semester. With the option to opt-out if they meet certain criteria, many students would be encouraged to continue to put in effort during this difficult time to focus. This approach would reinforce the importance of consistent academic performance.
High school is meant to prepare us for the future, but it should also recognize the effort that we have already put in. Optional senior finals would not lower academic standards. Instead, they would acknowledge four years of hard work, reduce unnecessary stress and reward students for their sustained commitment. Providing this option would allow our seniors to finish their high school careers feeling recognized for all the amazing work they have accomplished during their time at South.