“Senioritis”: Students Offer Insight on Whether Senior Burnout is Rumor or Reality

by KAYLIE WU

Every year, it is common for high school seniors to experience a phenomenon known as “senioritis.”

Senioritis refers to a student’s lack of motivation — and sometimes even a decline in grades — caused by the stress of college applications and the exhaustion of being in high school for four years. Menlo seniors have offered various definitions of what senioritis is, as well as different timelines for when the occurrence actually began to affect them.

Senioritis is very real for seniors Sean Nesamoney and Nyla Sharma, and has existed since the start of the 202223 school year. Nesamoney’s senioritis does not keep him from completing assignments or preparing for exams, but insteads manifests as a lack of motivation.

“I think [senioritis is] really valid for people because you’ve been trying so hard to maintain good grades for three years, so at one point you’re bound to burn out,” he said. “I’ve already noticed it start. When I was a junior, I would try to get as much work done as I could every to complete her school work this year.

“I’ve developed an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mindset,” she said. “If I don’t take be much more relaxed. doing this?’”

Despite showing symptoms of senioritis, Nesamoney believes his flexible schedule as a second semester senior will allow him to still complete all his school work. “I’ve lost the stress of having to do college applications and maintain extracurriculars, so I’ll have more time to do work,” he said. Sharma also thinks that senioritis will increase as the second semester continues, but she also expects her teachers to be much more lenient.

For senior William Mahe, senioritis means not looking forward to school as much and not being as engaged in class content. Mahe was disappointed by how it lowered his excitement to attend certain classes. “[Senioritis] kinda sucks,” he said.

Similarly, senior Malia Chavinson is already into college, but does not believe the acceptance has impacted her senioritis at all. Chavinson defines senioritis as the lack of effort that seniors put into school work due to already completing the college application process. “I think I’m experiencing more burnout than senioritis,” Chavinson said. “I know I should be working and have a semi-desire to, I just struggle to actually do it.” weekend, but now I’m tired, and I try to get work done quickly instead.”

Sharma is similarly less motivated anything out of my bag, then I don’t [need to] do it, so I leave my bag downstairs.” While Sharma still completes all of her schoolwork, she has noticed a decrease in motivation compared to in previous years.

Although Nesamoney believes that he experienced senioritis in the first semester, he thinks it has heightened even more as the second semester continues. “With the weather being so gloomy in November and December, there’s already been a lack of energy, so when [the] second semester hits, everyone’s just like fullblown senioritis,” he said. Nesamoney thinks senioritis is more significant in the second semester because the college application process is completed, and grades do not matter as much compared to in the first semester. While senior Natalie Westermann did not experience senioritis as a first semester senior, she agrees with Nesamoney that the second semester will

Unlike Nesamoney, Mahe thinks his senioritis had a much stronger presence during the first semester, rather than in the second. “I have much more free time in the second semester, so I think [senioritis] is less bad.”

Being a committed athlete also plays a role in the extent to which some students experience senioritis. Having already committed to run Division I cross country and track and field at UC Berkeley, senior Justin Pretre does not share the same stress regarding college applications as many of his classmates. According to Pretre, he feels he has a lot more time to rest and maintain a healthy sleep schedule; Pretre now often sleeps after sports practice, rather than immediately rushing to complete any school work. However, Pretre hasn’t lost motivation to keep up with his grades, either. “I’m trying to keep my grades the same that they were before I committed, out of self-respect,” Pretre said. “But sometimes when I’m grinding out some homework, it’s definitely an internal battle, and I’m just like, ‘Why am I

Chavinson defines her senioritis as enjoying a nice break before starting college. “I see senioritis as a blessing, personally. I’ve been busy and overworked, so I’m excited to get the chance to step back and explore things I haven’t gotten to try before,” she said. “It doesn’t mean I plan to slack off. I still intend to give things my best effort, but my best effort may be limited to an hour of homework rather than three.”