Why so cynical @JHS? I really don’t care if it’s Feb, March, April or May. My D actually does like school quite a bit and always has. I’m sure she will be successful in college and beyond and not because of my parenting (which I believe has been more than adequate), but because she is who she is.
Yes, she is interested in her schoolwork, but beyond that, she is an avid reader (with all sorts of books stacked to the ceiling of her room), creative of mind and in thought. And I dare say she likes being this way.
Senioritis hit my kid when THE acceptance letter came in March. She started her “gap summer” almost immediately and rejuvenated for what is proving to be an amazing freshman year.
I am not cynical in the least, annwank, just experienced. My children, now well into their mid-20s and graduate-degreed, still have books stacked to the ceilings of their apartments, and still have the work ethic and love of learning that served them well in high school and college. And yet – believe it or not – they both, to varying degrees, had their focus somewhat diffused in their last semester of high school. As did many of their friends. It didn’t matter, and no one worried about it.
If you had asked me on February 3rd of their senior years, I would have said there was no way that would happen, and I would have been wrong.
As a current senior, I’m at the point were I’ve submitted my college apps and now I’m just waiting. When I was a junior i was like I am never going to get senioritis. I was wrong. You spend your whole life working up to this moment and now its either a hit or miss
Well then to each his own I guess! I’m sticking to my presumption that my D will prevail, even though she may be weary of high school. And I’m not worried about it in the least, because she is set in her ways and what will be will be!
“In my family, we value doing our best all the time. I am quite aware that not everyone is like that.”
Really now. My kids didn’t really succumb to any senioritis, which is not to say that it would have been the awfulest thing in the world if they had - because fundamentally, once they both got accepted ED in December, it was really of no consequence if their grades dropped a little. A time to crank, a time to refrain from cranking.
I’m the kind who wouldn’t have gotten senioritis either because I was always Extremely Serious About Being a Straight A Student. YK something? I don’t think that’s a positive characteristic in myself. I would have done much better if I’d had the ability to let things go and “accept” less than perfection.
My AP Government teacher told us that how we act and behave during times like these is how we will react to certain situations in the future. Sure, I slack a bit in some areas and that is mostly because I am not so worried about my grades anymore. But when it comes down to it, I still put in the work.
@Belizeme oh thank heaven that my senioritis is how I’m going to be during the rest of my life: when I have the opportunity to relax, I’ll take it. This is great news to my family members who are convinced I’m a workaholic.
That’s a stunning lack of self-awareness. Why don’t you start with your, “in my family we do our best all the time,” “genuinely love learning,” and “learning situation” comments. They are all judgmental.
I am being judgmental, too, and I am happy to take responsibility for it. I think you are a little too proud of yourself.
“There is a time for breaks and a time for vacation. Taking one your whole Senior year might have consequences, though.”
WHOLE senior year???
“In my family, we value doing our best all the time. I am quite aware that not everyone is like that.” (Maybe not so judgmental as arrogant and dismissive, perhaps, as if the values of the rest of us don’t measure up.)
It’s just interesting that you pose the question–What’s behind all these issues that seem to be rising to the surface?–and then as people answer, you continue to criticize those who throttle back a bit, even though they supposedly “can’t help it” (your words, post #34). I don’t think you are interested in an answer at all.
Senioritis is a real thing and completely understandable. HS seniors are tired of being treated like children when in fact many of them are now legal adults. My daughter has a huge case of senioritis, exacerbated by the fact that she was admitted EDI, so she feels her job is done and she’s ready to move on. It is tough to continue to care once all has been taken care of. She hasn’t given up caring though because she has some end-of-year goals she is trying to meet, but if not for that, she would mail it in at this point, and I don’t blame her.
My statement about realizing not everyone is like that actually shows quite a bit of self-awareness. It was only made to answer the inevitable obvious remarks in which someone feels the need to say “everyone is different”.
And, I don’t think you’ve even come close to supporting your accusation.
Furthermore, you are now going to have show me where I “criticized” others.
It’s an epidemic at my son’s school. The acute cases are the concern. Senioritis symptoms are not just the slack in school work, but a devil may care attitude that has led to a number of heartaches and stress.
What, may I ask, is she “prevailing” over? The idea that there are times in life when it IS okay to stop being an energizer bunny and breathe for a when you have a chance? Or the idea that someone can be passionate about learning, but really not want to grind out an A in that last semester of a foreign language they hope to never, ever have to speak or hear again? Can’t get over how smug some parents are about (possibly) having kids who don’t know how to take a break. Or that that seems like a really healthy way to approach the marathon (not sprint) that is life.
OP, I don’t “have” to show you anything, and you are free to believe whatever you want to believe.
Readers of the thread can make their own minds up about whether you are being “critical” or “judgmental,” or about whether you do indeed care about what is behind the need for seniors to take a bit of a breather before pursuing the next big goal.