 | This article'stone or style may not reflect theencyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. See Wikipedia'sguide to writing better articles for suggestions.(September 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Senioritis is thecolloquial name for the decreasedmotivation toward education felt by students who are nearing the end of theirhigh school,college,graduate school careers, or the end of a school year in general. Senioritis can, however, be described for any grade, although mostly said to occur insenior-level students. Senioritis is not a recognized medical condition, but a colloquial term (in theUnited States andCanada) that combines the wordsenior with the suffix-itis, which technically denotesinflammation but refers to a general illness in colloquial speech.
In serious cases where students allow their grades to drop significantly,universities may rescind offers ofadmission.[1] Nonetheless, most colleges rarely rescind admission offers, and even the most elite schools only revoke them from a very small number of students.[2]
The time gap between college and university admissions, which are usually decided by March or April, andfinal exams, which usually are not until early May (e.g.Advanced Placement andInternational Baccalaureate classes), is a challenge to seniors who may be feeling unmotivated toward their schooling.
There are several strategies by which an individual with senioritis can mitigate its impact. For example, setting goals, including both short and long term, could motivate the student to remain on track to achieve their academic pursuits.[3] Another strategy is taking breaks during mentally exhausting tasks, which could potentially alleviate some sensations of stress, and decrease educational burnout.[3] One could also reward their accomplishments, no matter the size. This one can provide a sense of pride and help the person acknowledge what they have done.[3] Lastly, an individual could avoid remaining in the same spot for too long.[3]
James Coleman, writer and Chairman of the President's Panel of Youth, urged changes in the high school curriculum to address the problem of senioritis. These concerns gave rise to the implementation of a "Senior Semester" in many high schools throughout the country, which allowed seniors to spend time outside the school or attend seminars in their specific interests.[4]
TheCollege Board, theNational Youth Leadership Council, and other youth-serving organizations suggest that there are many ways schools can help young people make the most of their senior year instead of succumbing to the temptation to take it easy once graduation is assured. Giving young people opportunities to make their academic work more meaningful throughservice-learning, or other forms ofexperiential education, can increase students' academic aspirations.[5]
