Senioritis is defined as “a crippling disease that strikes high school seniors,” according to Urban Dictionary, but high school students are not the only ones affected.
Collin McLarty, a senior media strategies major, said he is sick of school and cannot wait to finish his undergraduate degree at Texas Tech next semester.
“It’s exciting,” McLarty said. “I only have four classes left, and May can’t get here any sooner.”
The symptoms of senioritis include: a lack of motivation, skipping class way more frequently and looking a little less fabulous and a little more like a slob kabob as the end of the semester draws near, according to the Urban Dictionary definition.
Jo Ann Grant, professor of practice in the College of Media & Communication, said her class attendance rates have been falling consistently since the beginning of the fall semester.
“Ninety percent of students in the two sections I teach are graduating in December,” Grant said. “I sense everybody is really tired right now, both students and faculty, but basically they just have to suck it up because we still have a lot to cover and a lot to do to get them ready to go out into the world.”
A case of senioritis, although some may think it a myth, could be detrimental to a college student’s future career path, according to the U.S. News University Directory.
“If a student’s grades dropped during their final semester of college, graduate school admissions officials may question the applicant’s commitment to their studies,” reported the U.S. News University Directory article. “Potential employers may be equally unimpressed by a dip in candidates’ college grade point average.”
Graduate part-time instructor Bailey Thompson said she still experiences senioritis as a doctoral student, but can offer some advice to undergraduate seniors.
“Push through!” Thompson said. ” You know, you’re not done yet. You want to enjoy the last part of the semester because it is four years that you will never get back. Take advantage of it and do all of the social stuff you want to do, but try to get all of your grades in early so that you can enjoy the last month of college.”
Photo by Jordann Fowler
About Education suggests several “cures” to help seniors overcome the disease without being quarantined or using of antibiotics.
Jacob Granstaff, a senior engineering major, said his fear of becoming a real adult has overshadowed his senioritis lately.
“Where else besides college can you get coffee at 3:30 p.m. and play on your computer for the rest of the day?” Granstaff said. “I don’t have any real worries, and honestly I wish I could stay in college for the rest of my life.”
Whether you are suffering from adulthood phobia or acute senioritis, the end of the semester is quickly approaching. Do as the doctor orders, and finish strong.
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