For a long time I’ve always thought that the idea of “senioritis” wasn’t a real thing. Just an excuse for people who are procrastinating or skipping school. I always told myself I would never be that kind of a senior. I have worked so hard throughout the entirety of high school, putting my grades above everything else. I always told myself I would work just as hard as I always have up until the very last minute, until I walked across that stage at graduation. 

But the last few months have been extremely hard for me. Even though I told myself I wouldn’t be that kind of senior, that I was never the kind of person who would give into something as fake as “senioritis”, I gave in, I fell into the trap I built for myself. 

Saying I have senioritis is probably one of the most cliche things I have ever said. But, I think that things are cliche because they’re true. I have worked so hard for so long, that I burnt myself out, I built myself a trap to fall into. I prioritized grades over my social life, my physical health, my mental health. So when I was too burnt out to worry about my grades anymore, I felt like everything was falling apart. 

These past few months, I’ve felt myself slipping into a state where I’m struggling with my mental health. I’m recognizing that while senioritis may seem silly, it’s a real thing for a lot of people. Feeling burnt out, exhausted, unmotivated. 

But I’m tired of feeling burnt out, I’m tired of waiting for the day when everything falls into place. Because nothing is going to get better, I’m never going to feel more motivated unless I decide to make the effort to put myself back out there. To not give up on school, on my health, on my friends. In this last term of senior year, my last term of high school, I’m going to try and enjoy the time I have left here. It’s going to be hard to pull myself out of bed, surround myself with people, and find motivation. But I’m going to try to say yes, and I’m going to show up. I recognize that so many seniors are dealing with this right now, but don’t let this part of your life slip away. It’s worth it trying to find some joy right now, you don’t have to wait.