Is senioritis a real thing or is it just a mindset? Senioritis is a very common issue affecting seniors in high school. It occurs when they do not have motivation to go to classes or do schoolwork because summer and graduation are approaching so soon.
Ella Callanan, a senior at Franklin High School, is very excited to graduate. She has been attending Franklin since freshman year and has mostly enjoyed it. In the fall, she will be attending University of San Diego where she will play Division I soccer. When asked if she is excited to leave Portland and Franklin, she says, “Yes and no. I am excited to live in San Diego, but I am sad to leave most of my friends.” Callanan has a few favorite things about Franklin, the first and most important being all the friendships she’s made and the people she’s met by attending Franklin. Her favorite part of senior year is the light class load and Prom, which is held in the spring of senior year. Another thing she has really enjoyed is working in the SStudent Store. “I really liked being able to do Student Store with my friends, and learning about business was interesting.”
Something else that comes with being a senior is all the responsibility, especially the decision of which college you’re going to attend or what you’re going to do after high school. Because Callanan has been committed to the University of San Diego since junior year, motivation has been difficult. “Since I have been accepted into college already, being motivated to go to class is hard this year,”she says. Something she wishes Franklin did more of is helping with college essays and applications. “College applications can be very confusing sometimes and getting more help on them would be useful.” Callanan definitely believes in senioritis but does not see it in a negative way. “Senioritis is definitely real, but I don’t think in a bad way, because a lot of people I know are less motivated in school, but they find ways to stay motivated in other activities like extracurriculars, the gym, jobs, and sports.”
Justine Altman is another senior at Franklin High School and plans to attend a four-year university after she graduates. She has also been at Franklin for four years and has enjoyed the experience overall. “Franklin has a great community and awesome people,” says Altman. Although she is so excited to leave, like most seniors, she is nervous about such a big change. Her favorite part of high school has been participating in extracurriculars like clubs and sports, and meeting so many new people. Her favorite part of senior year was senior night for sports, especially soccer. “It was really special to me and it’s fun to look back at how much time I spent in the program and just commemorate with teammates.”Altman has a heavy class load, but her favorite class is Advanced Placement (AP) Biology. “I learn so much, and I feel more prepared for college as I plan on studying a science-based major. Also, Dr. Moyers is great,” she adds. Altman’s least favorite part of high school was having to do online school all of freshman year and being constantly isolated during that time. Her least favorite part of being a senior is balancing school work, college applications, and her social life. “There is always some sort of deadline approaching,” Altman says.
Altman and Callanan both agree on the need for more support for high school seniors. “I think there should be more online resources and one-on-one support for seniors’ college applications earlier on, even sharing info and tips at the end of junior year so that we feel better prepared for senior year,” says Altman. Like most seniors, Altman is also struggling with motivation, especially in second semester because she is so close to graduating. “I would say senior year is the most fun though because there are so many activities to look forward to like Prom and graduation, and you just enjoy being with your classmates for the last time,” says Altman. Altman did not believe senioritis was a real thing before she reached senior year but now she understands. “Every senior definitely has a little senioritis,” says Altman.
