Once the college deposits are paid and graduation caps are ordered, many second-semester seniors tend to have one thing on their mind: summer. Homework goes unfinished, grades start to drop and overall motivation plummets.
According to a recent Bark survey, 50 percent of seniors skip class once a week or more, and 61 percent report feeling unmotivated to complete schoolwork daily.
This widespread phenomenon is known as senioritis, characterized by a senior’s sharp decline in motivation and engagement towards the end of their high school experience. While some dismiss it as laziness, scientists believe that other factors are at play. For some students, it’s a chance to savor their last few months with their classmates. For others, it can be a sign of burnout and depression.
David Plescia, who has been teaching at Redwood since 1998, states that there are two factors that he believes most contribute to senioritis.
“One [factor that leads to senioritis] is the sun, and two is [Advanced Placement] testing. When the sun is out, senioritis sets in; they’re like hibernating bears,” Plescia said.
Redwood counselor Ian Scott sees a similar trend.
“I would say it’s a symptom of one foot out the door. Most seniors are already looking towards what they’re doing next year and are not as focused on what they’re finishing up this year,” Scott said.
Many students reflect that this is not a unique experience, including senior Ryan Rembrandt. Rembrandt states that even though he regularly attends his classes, many of them feel less important this year compared to his junior year.
“I’m just here, I have to be in class and I’m showing up. But I feel like most of my lessons are kind of repetitive, whereas in junior year, I was more like, ‘I’ve gotta take in this information,’” Rembrandt said.
While colleges look very closely at the rigor and grades from students’ junior year transcript, many seniors deny the importance of maintaining strong grades through senior year due to the college application process having concluded.
This is another reason why seniors feel an overwhelming lack of motivation: many students are already admitted and enrolled in college, or have their next steps plans arranged.
“All attitudes change and [students have] already gotten into college or they know what their next steps are,” Plescia said.
For most colleges, students must submit their final transcript, and according to The Princeton Review, “they can rescind the offer if they see a worrying drop in performance. In addition, many colleges have requirements that a student never receive a grade below a C- ever, in any class. And that includes the second semester, senior year.”
While most students are still trying to maintain their grades, many are burnt out from the college process and the rigorous course load they have taken on in years prior. Unable to relax for the last three years, seniors are now more focused on completion.
“This year, I’ve kind of just focused on what I need to get [done] at the end of the day,” Rembrandt said.
However, behind the senior skip days and trips to the beach, the final stretch of high school isn’t always as relaxing and care-free as many students expect it to be. Now that many know what their next steps are, students are faced with the reality that they are leaving the community they have known for years and moving into the unknown of their future.
“I was expecting this time to make [me] feel the most relaxed and laid back. But for some reason, I feel like there’s a lot of stress right now. You kind of just gotta get through it and keep up [your] final grades,” Rembrandt said. 
According to Scott, it isn’t uncommon for students to experience pre-college anxiety.
“I certainly think, whether students can name it or not, [there is] a bit of anxiety about the next steps. I’m nervous to go somewhere where I may not know anybody, or to start a whole new chapter of my life,” Scott said.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that not every student falls into the senior slump.
“There are certainly some seniors who kind of stick with it and push through and are diligent all the way to the end,” Scott said.
Many seniors have found ways to try to combat their lack of motivation, whether that is putting their phones away, setting aside time to get homework done or potentially missing out on some social plans.
“[I like] putting my phone away. My phone has been a big problem. If I’m distracting myself, one way that I can still focus is by telling my brain to focus and listen to music,” Rembrandt said.
Although the finish line seems nearer by the day, seniors like Rembrandt are continuing to find ways to stay grounded in these last couple of weeks. And with finals approaching, staying focused is essential, even if it means missing a little sun.
