Everyone is familiar with the infamous disease that comes around after the last first semester finals have been taken: Senioritis. Students in their final year of high school develop this supposed affliction that results in the decline of motivation and performance in their academics. Teachers dread the annual lecture they have to give to their students about how they should continue working hard and finish out the school year strong, because it is already known that their wise words are not enough to cure the spreading Senioritis.

Many underclassmen wish they could relate to the relief that seniors feel when college acceptance letters are mailed out. Seniors feel as if their ultimate goal has finally been reached the second they have been admitted into a college: “Everything we have done at Prep, has been about getting into college. And ever since I’ve gotten my first acceptance letter, I feel like I’m done with high school,” said senior Ellie Beshlian ‘17. Thus, the pressure of achieving good grades and GPAs seems to disappear into the wind and Senioritis begins to develop.

The mere thought of a fresh start in college is one of the most appealing ideas to a graduating senior, especially for senior Emily Jordan ‘17: “I’m really excited to be in a new environment, and I can’t wait to leave because of my Biology and Calculus grade. B is for Bio and C is for Calc!” After four years of consistency, every senior feels as if it is time for a change, causing them to anxiously count down the final days until graduation. Second semester is the final push before reaching the finish line, only to start a new, more exciting race shortly after.

However, as graduation day comes closer, it hits seniors that high school is ending. Senior Mackenzie Tobin ‘17 said, “Although the end of the year is so busy, I can’t help but get sad at the thought that after May 26, we won’t be coming back.” Whether or not high school was a joyful experience, seniors finally realize that it is time to let go of the childhood that they have been holding onto for eighteen years. Everything familiar in life is going to be gone in a matter of months. Friends that have been inseparable for years are going to be heading down different paths. The comfort of mothers’ and fathers’ hugs will soon be unavailable.

Second semester senior year not only affects the seniors, but everyone involved in their lives. Senioritis can be quite annoying, but despite the slight decline in academic effort, their effort in life itself grows. Appreciating family and friends, attending as many events as possible, talking with classmates they might never talk to again, and much more, are all things seniors take the time to do. Although saying hello to a new lifestyle after high school is quite exciting, second semester seniors are willingly slowing down to say their final goodbye to their comfortable, old life.