It’s senior year of high school, you’re enrolled in college or have your plans for next year all lined up, maybe you’re already 18. But you’re sitting in math class as a future English major thinking, “Is this even worth it?” The lack of motivation and decline in work ethic that comes at the end (or even beginning) of senior year is notoriously dubbed “senioritis,” and it plagues seniors every year across America.
While some might chalk senioritis up to students just being lazy at the end of the year, there are a lot more factors that go into play and it should be taken more seriously. Aspects such as stress, fear of the unknown, and processing a period of transition can greatly impact the mental health of students.
While it’s true that some students may just be feeling lazy this time of year, there should be support and understanding if senioritis goes deeper for other students.
A study published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers states that senoritis often ends up “resulting in depression” and states the common symptoms of senioritis are, “reduction in academic performance, decreased resistance to infectious disease… and [inability to] manage life tasks well.”
While for some seniors, these symptoms may be minor, we shouldn’t group every struggling senior together. Some may simply be tired of school, while others are dealing with larger mental struggles triggered by fear of the unknown and change.
Notre Dame psychology professor Darcia Narvaez believes the blockage behind senioritis is due to the fact that, “…you’re moving into the unknown, and you can be paralyzed by that. Stress really impairs your higher-order thinking, too, making it harder to do schoolwork.”
Narvaez also takes into account the sense of loss many seniors may be experiencing.
In an interview conducted by WBUR (commonly known as Boston’s NPR station), she states, “I think one of the big things that we in the States… have a harder time [with] is grief. You know, that deep sadness that we’re losing our current nest of support, our familiarity, our relationships, what we love and cherish.”
The reality for many seniors in high school is leaving their families, friends, communities, and safety nets for college and not knowing how to cope.
As a solution to this aspect of senioritis, Professor Narvaez urges students to “pay attention” to the way they’re feeling as, “…that sadness can be a sign of how much you value those things, and you can actually then turn your attention to appreciating them with your explicit mind.”
To get past these roadblocks, she recommends “set up ways… maybe ritualistic ways, to say goodbye… that will help you settle down those feelings of sadness to express them and move on.”
While some seniors may just be lazy at this time of year, it’s important to recognize the mental processing that many of them are going through.
To get back on track and not be swept away with senioritis, Faculty Training and Development Facilitator Abby Tincher from Southern New Hampshire University recommends, “having at least one tangible goal, and if you’re a visual person, put something near you to remind you of your goal.”
She also urges students to develop a reward system “on the condition you reach the goals you set for yourself.”
Finally, Tincher stresses the importance of a support system, “Keep positive people around you who support you and your goals.”
While senioritis may just be a minor setback for some students, it could lead to bigger mental issues for others. To help these students, we must ensure they are in a supportive, understanding environment while also educating all seniors on these helpful tips to not get behind.
Works Cited
Lucietto, Anne, et al. “Senioritis From the Student’s Perspective.” IEEE, 12 March 2020, https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9028556/authors#authors. Accessed 30 April 2025.
Wallis, Ash. “Senioritis: Symptoms, Tips & Cures | SNHU.” Southern New Hampshire University, 28 February 2024, https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/what-is-senioritis. Accessed 30 April 2025.
WBUR. “The Psychology Behind Senioritis.” 29 May 2017, https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2017/05/29/psychology-senioritis. Accessed 30 April 2025.
