After 32 long weeks, commencement is just on the horizon, but senioritis hits as graduation draws nearer. Many seniors are feeling the academic drag.
“First day of college senior year, I was over it,” Gray Bunch, ‘25, said. “Now, since it’s literally week 15, I’m over it. I’m so tired and ready to go.”
Senioritis and its cause
“Senioritis” is a common phenomenon amongst academic seniors characterized by a decrease in academic motivation and effort. This feeling of senioritis typically hits as commencement approaches.
According to Dyson Wellness Center Director of Counseling Nicole Musni, many students visit the wellness center on campus for “senioritis” related concerns.
While it’s hard to track how many students reach out for academic assistant, Musni said it’s a regular occurrence. And it often relates back to stress.
“I believe senioritis is common for students because of the anxiety brought on by the anticipated change,” Musni said. “Of course, a student’s last year in college can be filled with lots of excitement and accomplishments to celebrate; however, the closer students get to graduation, the more uncertainty and questions arise.”
On top of uncertainty, seniors feel strained from being in school for almost their entire lives.
“A lot of my friends and I have expressed that we’re done and we’re tired and we’re extremely exhausted,” Bunch, ‘25, said. “Because we’ve been in school for so long, and it’s all we know, we’re tired of it.”
Symptoms of senioritis
Graduation anxiety often leads many students to avoidant habits, especially towards schoolwork.
Bunch, ‘25, said she felt that during this past year, senioritis led her to prioritize her social life and entertainment over academics.
“I just felt like school wasn’t really worthy of my time,” Bunch, ‘25, said.
Lack of motivation and procrastination are some of the most common symptoms, but they aren’t the only ones. According to Musni, senioritis can also encourage students to skip class or miss assignments.
Letting these feelings build up causes more harm than good in most cases. In Bunch’s situation, it meant having to quit her job and step down early from club leadership roles.
By the time week 11 hit, Bunch was so stressed from procrastinated schoolwork and “having anxiety and mental breakdowns” frequently.
Her family and friends all recommended dropping some things to free up time.
How to combat it
There’s no surefire way to get rid of senioritis, but there are ways to prevent and manage it.
“Make a schedule of what’s going to happen throughout the day or on a week basis,” Bunch, ‘25, said. “Figure out what your schedule is and execute your schedule. Do NOT push it back.”
For Bunch, having a designated study playlist is also helpful. It makes studying or doing homework more enjoyable.
Musni believes the most important step is intervening early when you notice the behaviors first set in.
“Find a positive mantra or motivational quote to say to yourself each day and explore ways to shift your mindset,” said Musni.
Some of Musni’s other recommendations are to talk about your experiences with friends and family and setting small goals. Taking care of yourself is also a top priority.
“Treat yourself,” Bunch, ‘25, said. “Don’t let stress override you because that will cause you to be burnt out very easily.”
