I had this idea a little over a month ago to address the ongoing problem of senioritis. Here I am, about 40 days later, still on the first paragraph.

Why does the end prompt so much laziness?

According to the urban dictionary, senioritis can be defined as a disease that strikes seniors in high school and college. Symptoms include an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. The highlight features include a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude.

The only known cure is graduation.

I’m almost done, do I really need to write this paper? I think I’ll survive if I miss class again today. Does this shirt smell weird to you?

All these thoughts often run through the mind of a senior suffering from senioritis. The easy decision is made more often than not. However, a bad decision usually results in a bad outcome, but how many seniors actually suffer real consequences for slacking off at the end of high school or college? It’s almost like we know that nothing is going to happen, and were daring administration to take away our diplomas.

How I wonder do teachers feel about students clearly exhibiting characteristics of senioritis. I hope it is not taken personally. Don’t worry, it’s us, not you.

As soon as I was accepted into college, the little work ethic I had became even smaller. I was in the passenger seat along for the rest of the high school ride. I went out during the week, experimented with some pharmaceuticals, and attempted after every female I could see. I thought hey, I have already been accepted to my number one choice of college, why should I continue to stress out and work so hard when I already accomplished my goal? In hindsight, that was probably a bad decision. I did not prepare myself properly for college and it resulted in having to attend three different schools.

Here I am now, a college senior, and I’m thinking to myself, what job interview is going to ask for my GPA? Will they really care that I was given a C on my last few papers because I was lazy? Or will they just want to see a diploma earned within four to five years?

If my college career has taught me anything, it’s that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

So maybe I should finish strong. I say this after it took me the entire day to put this on paper on a Sunday filled with the Rangers, Jets, Giants, and professional procrastination that an only an experienced senior can get away with.

I’ d like to thank all of the professors I ever had, what I learned is that nothing worth knowing can be taught, and to never let school get in the way of a good education.

– Brandon Chalkin