“If I had a month left I wouldn’t care either,” said the kid in my physical science class today.
I brought my computer to class and ended up spending much more time playing on it than paying attention. I considered this a success because of the fact that I actually made it to class. Usually I just sleep.
I know senioritis is technically something that should only affect 12th graders, but I am definitely suffering from a case of “senior year of college apathy.” I am not sure if this is unique to me, or to my school, or if everyone has this problem in the final months of college.
I have been an outstanding student for 17.5 of the years I have been involved in formal education – eager to learn and eager to achieve big things. Now, in the final half of my last year (at least for now) I simply do not care about how I perform. I just don’t care! Apathy has never been my style but now I can’t shake it.
Here is the best definition of senioritis I found on Urban Dictionary:
Senioritis: A term used colloquially in the United States and Canada to describe the decreased motivation toward studies displayed by students who are nearing the end of their high school or college careers. It is typically said to include slowness, procrastination, apathy regarding school work, and a tendency toward truancy.
Many high school and college students find themselves in a type of lame duck situation: their plans are made and a new chapter in their life is about to begin, so finishing the current chapter (the current term separating them from graduation) becomes just a formality or “holding pattern.”
I like what Wikipedia says as well:
Senioritis, though typically perceived as a high school ailment, can also be found in college seniors. The typical causes of this may be burnout, or the obtainment of job offer letters. Having received a job offer letter, concerns about college GPA generally decrease and a sense of apathy in schoolwork can develop, especially since often the offer is contingent only upon completion of the degree and not one’s final GPA. The same can also be true in the transition from undergraduate to graduate school.
Well, maybe I am burned out. Because I definitely don’t have a job offer. I don’t even have an option because I really haven’t applied anywhere. I haven’t quite decided what I want to do with my life, but chasing lots of money working in a cubicle is not even an option. Whatever I end up doing it will definitely be something different.
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