With Spring quickly approaching and the school year beginning to see the finish line, the desire for students to miss class becomes stronger. “Senioritis” is a commonly used term that refers to the lack of motivation that is felt by seniors who are nearing the end of their high school education career. While senioritis isn’t a real disease or illness to be diagnosed by a doctor, the symptoms are still serious and can lead to a decline in the health of you and your education. Seniors who experience this feeling often have the urge to miss class, procrastinate, lose interest in their classes, and even experience a decline in grades.
While the term senioritis refers to seniors in the name and is something most commonly felt by those nearing the end of their education, it is no secret that others may feel this too. While the school year is 9 months long in total, students and educators alike can agree certain times in the year make it seem much longer. It is easy for students to feel the urge to experience this lack of motivation around this time of year, but the question is do teachers experience this feeling of senioritis as well?
Spring can bring many mixed emotions for different people, and while the stretch between spring break and summer can feel like a stretch it is important for teachers and students to continue to push through until the end. High School Agriculture education teacher and FFA Advisor McKenzie Gettler said, “The spring is just so busy that I feel like I don’t even have time to get a lack of motivation, for me I probably get the senioritis feeling more in the fall and winter when there is nothing exciting going on in FFA and my classes.”
While many teachers such as Gettler have a very busy spring which they are looking forward to, others are feeling the burnout nearing the end of the year. While it is easy for teachers to feel this lack of motivation, it is important they continue to find ways to help them push through and make the most of every class period until the final bell rings before the summer break.
Ben Perman said for him, “The time leading up to spring break can be challenging but it’s all about having grit and being able to make it to spring break which is really refreshing for the rest of the school year.”
While some look to the refreshment of spring break to get them excited for the rest of the year, others have more of a shift in mindset to give them that push.
“Some days it can be really tough, but I just try to be a good role model and not slack off,” said business teacher Emily Blok. I try to always remember I am here to serve kids and help them. I feel like I am very motivated and if I feel like I’m not doing my best job I just take a step back and remind myself to do my best all the way through and give everything I have to these kids until the end.”
