By Sophia Chen ’20, Staff Writer

What’s that new sound? No, not the new bell but the glorious sound of fireworks crackling and trumpets fan-faring because college applications have been sent out! Already, some seniors may have gotten a thick envelope containing the much-anticipated congratulatory early decision or early action letter from the college admissions office. But with this excitement comes the potential of “senioritis,”  a term that describes seniors’ decrease in academic motivation after college acceptances and applications. It has been affecting college bound seniors for generations and will continue to do so. After dealing with the high stress of the college admissions process, more and more seniors are falling into this “senior slump.” The most serious cases of senioritis involve a severe dip in grades which can sometimes lead to the rescinding of a college acceptance. As the college admissions process becomes increasingly demanding, senioritis becomes more common.

Teachers agree that senioritis is not a good thing. Ms. Gordon said, “Senioritis is detrimental to the seniors. Seniors should take advantage of their time in high school.” Seniors should enjoy the rest of the school year while finishing the school year strong. With college beginning the next year, it is important to stay on top of schoolwork in order to be fully prepared.

There have been cases where colleges have withdrawn acceptances. According to an article in the New York Times, “The University of Colorado Boulder rescinded admission for 45 of its accepted students, 10 of whom had already attended freshman orientation, selected classes or met roommates.”*  In addition, a poor showing at the end of high school can result in a student entering college on academic probation. Although this has not been the case for Newark Academy students, it is very possible, and very common among college bound seniors from other high schools. As a result, we should be aware of the signs and symptoms of senioritis and combat it.

If anything, this concept of senioritis encourages lack of motivation. Mr. Hawk said, “I’m not in favor of this term. People talk themselves into senioritis. It’s a sentiment we could do without.” Senioritis is described as something that will happen after the college application process is over. However, we should not fall into this trap. Senioritis is a mental attitude that can be prevented and treated. As the seniors go off into new and exciting prospects, we should ask them for advice about senior year! We should take this time to fight senioritis by asking seniors advice and guidance.

As a freshman, I understand I have not experienced the workload seniors have, but I have full faith that senioritis can be cured! Let’s combat senioritis by learning as much as we can from seniors!

While it is certainly not difficult to understand the cause of senioritis, it is important to realize that college acceptance isn’t the end– it is only the beginning. Newark Academy has always shaped its seniors into enlightened curious individuals and have prepared them for the “outside world.” While the seniors are still here, we should take advantage of the knowledge they gained throughout the years at Newark Academy. So when you see a senior in the hallway, ask them for instead a  “senior jump,”  not a  “senior “slump” because the end of a senior year in high school is the start of an exciting future!

* Laura Pappano, “Slackers, Beware,” The New York Times, April 22, 2007.