Senioritis

By Coralene Ellis

There’s something in the air at Pamlico County High School. And no, it’s not just spring. It’s senioritis. The mysterious condition that somehow makes deadlines feel optional, motivation disappear, and graduation feel both impossibly far away and way too close at the same time.

For those who don’t know, senioritis isn’t a real medical condition, but it’s widely understood as that end-of-year slump many seniors feel. As college decisions roll in, plans start forming, and the “real world” gets closer, school can start to feel less important, even if it shouldn’t.

To see just how real senioritis is at PCHS, I conducted a survey of over 35 seniors, asking three simple questions. The results? Let’s just say… They speak for themselves.

First, I asked: “How much is senioritis currently affecting you on a scale of 1 to 5?”

• 2 students said 1 (basically unaffected)

• 2 said 3 (somewhere in the middle)

• 12 students chose 4 (affected)

• 20 students chose 5 (very affected)

That means over half of the seniors surveyed feel strongly affected by senioritis right now. In other words, if senioritis were a class, most of us would be getting an A+.

Next, I asked: “How are you feeling about the last two months of high school?" Responses were mixed, but one feeling stood out: people are ready to move on.

• 18 students said they are “very ready to graduate”

• 14 said they feel “sad about moving on but excited for what’s next”

• Only 4 said they’re “soaking up all the last moments”

This shows that while some seniors are trying to live in the moment, most are already looking ahead to life after high school, whether that’s college, work, or something else entirely.

Finally, I asked the question teachers probably care about the most: “Are your grades slipping? "The results were… a little concerning.

• 21 students said “yes”

• 15 students said “no”

That means more than half of the students surveyed admit their grades are slipping as the year comes to an end. So, while senioritis might feel harmless, it’s definitely having real academic effects.

Overall, the survey makes one thing clear: senioritis is alive and well at Pamlico County High School. Most seniors are feeling it, many are ready to graduate, and a noticeable number are seeing it impact their grades.

But maybe that’s part of the senior experience. After years of tests, homework, and early mornings, it makes sense that motivation starts to fade right before the finish line. Still, with graduation just around the corner, it’s important to remember we’ve made it this far, we might as well finish strong.

Or at least… try to.