As the final semester rolls on and graduation looms closer, a familiar buzzword echoes through the halls of high schools everywhere: senioritis. Defined as a supposed decline in motivation and effort by students in their last year of high school, senioritis has been blamed for everything from skipped homework to falling asleep in class. But is senioritis just an overused excuse – or a real issue affecting seniors across the country?

For many students, senioritis is more than a myth. It’s a very real feeling of burnout, fatigue, and lack of motivation that hits once college applications are submitted and acceptance letters start rolling in. After years of academic pressure, extracurriculars, and standardized testing, some students feel like they’ve earned a break. “I think senioritis is 100% real,” says Faith Alam, a current senior. “After I got into my top college, it felt like I had reached the finish line. I still care about school, but it’s harder to stay focused when the stakes don’t feel as high anymore.”

This sense of mental exhaustion and shifting priorities is not uncommon. Psychologists suggest that senioritis may stem from a combination of stress relief and anticipatory anxiety. After years of grinding, students finally glimpse the freedom of life after high school – but that transition can also bring uncertainty. As a result, motivation can wane, even in students who once thrived on challenges.

Teachers and administrators often worry about the consequences. Slipping grades and disengagement can lead to rescinding college offers or an unprepared start to college internships or mentorship opportunities that keep learning relevant and engaging.

Still, some argue that a little senioritis might not be such a bad thing. “I think we need to normalize rest,” says Alisha Bhasvar, a senior. “If we have been pushing ourselves for years, it makes sense to slow down and savor these last moments of high school.”

So is senioritis a sign of laziness – or just a natural pause before a big leap? Maybe it’s both. What’s clear is that the final semester of high school is more than a finish line – it’s a turning point, and how students cross it might matter less than where they’re headed next.

For some, that means college. For others, it’s work, travel, or time off. No matter the path, this period of reflection and slowdown can offer valuable lessons in balance, self-awareness, and preparing for the next chapter of life – with purpose.