SCHAFFER_BLOG

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12/21/07- Definition
Senioritous, they call it. The universal contagious disease that spreads to almost all seniors desperate to make an escape from high school. Symptoms include: lack of motivation, laziness, a strong carelessness for work, "accidently" leaving books in school, or simply just giving up. Of course, after three years of waking up at 7:30 AM, taking test after test, essay after essay, who wouldn't be diagnosed? Difficult to stay focused, and easy to develop a //been there done that// mentality, students become careless. But why?Starting at a young age we are all taught that doing well in school matters for one thing and one thing only; College. While the application process is a whole different story, we all feel relieved and accomplished once the heavy burden is lifted from our shoulders, and we are accepted. When all is said and done, what does school become useful for? Learning? That's preposterous.

1/04/08- A relevant case
No one works without reason. Why is it that people refuse to work knowing that they're getting nothing in return?- Let's investigate.Ms. Burnosky. A college and career counselor at Hunterdon Central Regional High School seems to be an expert in this department. Her definition: "A student who has determined their next step and starts to slack academically in high school because they know their future."In her opinion, seniors slack off because of their relief in knowing that they are accepted into college and have a place to go. "What most students forget is that their grades still count. Final transcripts are sent to all the colleges at the end of the year."Senioritous has taken a serious toll particularly on the students from her school. Take Martin Gross. A straight A student who got acceptance to the University of Michigan. As senior year progressed, Gross slacked off in the classroom. His confidence rose to an extremely high level. He became the party animal instead of book worm, and it reflected in his final grades. Soon, his acceptance from Michigan was revoked. "I partied throughout senior year and took everything for granted. I really did not see this coming. This was the biggest wake up call I have ever had. Ever since this incident, I have made the dean's list at Seton Hall University."As for some solutions: taking harder classes in the beggining of the year and keeping up with work.Otherwise, you're screwed. "There really is no cure for senioritis. It is all about who the student is, and if he is really determined to finish out his high school academics on the high then transition into college all prepared", which no one happens to be.

Let's face it..we all deserve a break sometime...and at times like these is when it seems to be most convinient. I'm not going to sit here and lie by saying I'm not the least bit affected by this disease. I can openly admit that I have been slacking. School just doesnt seem as important as it used to. But I have come to realize through experience, that there are different cases of the illness.Stage 1- You still completely care about work and try hard in school.Stage 2- You don't care about taking tests or studying, but you complete assigned workStage 3- You dread waking up early each morning and are counting down the days until graduation Stage 4- You have completely decided to stop working and are all about being absentI can definitely say that I have reached the second stage. And if it remains that way, than I should survive. However, reaching as high as a stage 4 can evolve into an extremely severe case that might not be treatable.