With three months left of school, rates of Senioritis are at their highest, now even reaching new populations including current juniors, according to counselors. 

“Senioritis, we see even in juniors when they start picking their classes. I feel like that’s when it really starts,” counselor Cezanne Rowland said. “Most students have been working so hard during high school that it’s burnout on anything. Like, if you eat the same lunch everyday for a year, you get burned out.”

Although academic burnout is most common, students can grow weary of sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities. 

“You can be academically burned out, or maybe a student is in band for all four years, and by their senior year they’re like ‘I’m really tired of all of these extra hours,’” Rowland said. “The same with sports. Sometimes they lose passion for something they used to really enjoy.”

Senior Brooke Miller said she finds it hard to show up for classes and put effort toward her studies. 

“I have missed a lot of school, and it has severely affected my attendance,” Miller said. “I’ve had to make up a lot of hours so far. I get behind in my classes really easily because I’ll either sleep in three to four times a week or just leave school early.”

Senior Sydni Ballard said it’s hard to continue to give effort, but she also wants to make it into a good college. 

“You’ve put so much effort forth in the past three years, and you have no motivation to keep going even though you really want to get into a good college,” Ballard said. “It’s just kind of hard.”

Rowland said she does see symptoms of senior burnout in current juniors. This can start as early as when they pick their classes for senior year. 

“We see it even in like juniors when they start picking their classes,” counselor said.  “I feel like that’s when it really starts. Sometimes it drives kids to take fewer advanced classes or ask questions like ‘What’s the easiest math class I can take?’ During senior year, we see quite a few students that kind of drop off in their academic performance.”

Although it’s difficult to stay motivated, there are things current juniors can do to make senior year easier. 

“Try to get at least one off period,” Ballard said. “So you can take a break from things and not have a full schedule.”

Rowland said picking challenging classes on topics that interest students can help prevent them from feeling burned out, too.

“Choose something challenging that you’re interested in,” Rowland said. “If you are someone who takes AP or dual credit classes, choose something you’re actually interested in. Don’t just take it just for GPA points. One class isn’t going to get you into that target college.”