Just months away for Green Hope seniors looms graduation and a close to a major part of their lives. Many start to lose energy and focus, slacking on their studies and taking a backseat at school. This is commonly referred to as “senioritis,” but what exactly is it? What are the common causes? And most importantly, how can seniors prevent this illness?

First, the word itself stems from nonsensically stitching medical terminology with the afflicted grade. The suffix “-itis” means inflammation, and usually comes after the affected body part. For example, appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, and bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Senioritis would truly mean inflammation of seniors, which is (hopefully) not what is happening. There are clear issues with the word itself, but this being said, it is obviously not meant to fit scientific terminology perfectly.

Oxford Language defines senioritis as “a supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance.” It is clear that the “disease” stems from being close to graduation. With the end in sight, it becomes increasingly difficult to put in the same amount of effort that many seniors did in years past. With college applications finished as well, many seniors start to lose interest in extracurriculars, many of which were just for a resume boost for some people. Overall, effort and interest plummets, causing grades to drop while procrastination skyrockets.

The GH Falcon sat down with Matthew Taylor (‘26), a self-diagnosed victim of senioritis, to find out what he thought about his ailment. Taylor stated that he was plagued by “a lack of motivation to study and do assignments.” It started for him during the second quarter of the school year, right after college applications were done, but he talked about how, “I’ve pushed myself to stay on track by setting goals and looking ahead to my future.” While Taylor found a way to stay strong in the face of senioritis, many can’t, suffering in terms of grades and participation.

While senioritis is hard to cure once it’s acquired, there are methods that victims can take to fight it off until graduation rolls around. By setting a schedule to keep track of assignments, students can finish their work on time rather than missing the deadline. Additionally, self-established incentives can be good for motivation. By promising themselves a reward for a good grade on a test or completing a project on time, students can find motivation to do their work rather than slacking off.

To find out more cures for senioritis, the GH Falcon talked to Ms. Sagerer, an English 2 and Leadership in Media teacher at Green Hope. She focused on enjoying the time that students have. “Find small things to look forward to every day. Senior year goes by incredibly fast, and you don’t want to look back wishing you slowed down and enjoyed it,” she stated. She also discussed how if it gets hard to pay attention and stay motivated, it could be smart to change up methods or location: “Switch up your environment by studying at a new coffee shop or plan something fun with your friends. Make the most of your time while you still can.” She ended by discussing how, in a world where many people rush from one thing to another, taking time to enjoy the moment is crucial.

While it sounds like a silly made-up word, the reality is that senioritis is truly a mix of burnout and a loss of motivation for students who are so close to the finish line. There are cures and treatments, but some students still fall victim to the disease. Seniors must keep in mind that while the end may seem challenging, graduation is right around the corner, the hardest part is over, and it is essential to push through to the finish line of high school one more time.