Motivation is key in final stretch of school
As the school year drags toward its sweaty conclusion, it’s easy to lose motivation.
Everyone is aware of the dreaded “senioritis.” It’s the butt of plenty of jokes and no one is surprised when people who are about to be done with school forever want to be done now, and not in two weeks.
Cy Whitling
I’m not here to defend or justify “senioritis,” but I think it often gets played up over its less vocal and untitled cousin, which I will call here “almost-senioritis.”
Almost-senioritis is prevalent in students who are almost seniors. These sophomores, juniors or even first semester seniors carry all of the angst and discontent of nearly graduated seniors with none of the hope.
They are ready to be done with school, but school is not ready to be done with them.
I would like to think of myself as a qualified expert on this subject, since as a first semester senior I am currently battling an intense attack of almost-senioritis.
Almost-senioritis is more dangerous than regular senioritis because instead of leading to major procrastination and some sub-par final projects, it can potentially lead to a long-term discontent and a lack of motivation that won’t be resolved after school gets out for the semester.
When the first pin prick of light shows up at the end of the tunnel, it’s easy to let off the gas and coast on through. Unfortunately, this tunnel doesn’t slope down nicely to the finish line of graduation.
Instead, our lack of motivation is met with increased academic expectations.
Instead of rising to their challenge, we are demoralized. When we give in to the discontent with our current academic situation, it makes remedying the perceived problem nearly impossible.
The only things that will keep us engaged through the last lap of school are motivation and dedication.
Almost-senioritis brings discontent and demoralization. Instead of pushing us to finish, almost-senioritis turns us into complainers. We question school instead of utilizing our own motivation and resolve.
Human nature makes it easy to transfer the blame and hand off the responsibility — semi-imminent graduation is more than enough of an excuse. It is too easy to give in, start looking for the easy way out and start comparing ourselves to our already graduated peers.
For the seniors out there, congratulations, you’ve almost made it. Fend off senioritis for a few more weeks and go out there and do important things.
To the rest of the masses of disenfranchised almost graduates, don’t give up now. Yes, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we can’t taste victory, yet. Don’t give in and don’t veer off track on the last lap.
Finish strong, find the joy in school and enjoy the freedom of the weekend.
Take your assignments as challenges, not as annoyances. Go out and enjoy your summer, but come back motivated and ready to enter the next school year resolved to be even more stoked than the year before.
Cy Whitling can be reached at [email protected]