SUFFERING 'SENIORITIS'

The first hints of it can be found in the eyes of unsuspecting 12th-grade high school students during school hours in early spring.

Once sparkling and energetic eyes take on a temporary glaze of incomprehension. Students begin to find excuses to leave their classrooms in search of other amusements or simply time away from educational pursuits.

It becomes difficult for them to get out of bed for school, and students who once completed homework assignments promptly begin to miss deadlines or grumble more about their workloads.

A warm or sunny day can exaggerate the symptoms, making the need to roam school hallways or have an unnecessary school absence more acute.

Students and teachers said local high school seniors are suffering from an outbreak of senioritis that's been emphasized by unusually warm weather this week and a countdown of the final days before school proms and graduations.

"Oh, yeah. It's here," said Cape Girardeau Central High School senior Hannah Weir. "I'm getting to the point where when I wake up I don't feel like curling my hair anymore. I want to sleep in."

Teachers defined senioritis as the relaxed, lackadaisical attitude many seniors adopt in the final weeks of their high school career. Senioritis can cause procrastination, a lack of motivation, and increased disinterest in school subjects.

The cure, teachers said, is to increase the number of hands-on projects done in classes, emphasize deadlines for completing assignments, and be patient.

"All of us have done it. I think it's one of those rites of passage," said Pat Johnson, who teaches life skills classes at Central. Johnson said she is seeing a lesser amount of senioritis among teachers this year than in the past.

But English teacher Stacy Busch said she has her hands full with two classes of mostly-non-collegebound seniors and a yearbook publications class.

"They're constantly asking to go run errands, looking for any reason to get out of class," Busch said. "Especially with my classes, there's not much you can do but just make them work. I give them something every day."

Busch said issuing daily homework assignments and almost no extra-credit opportunities are the means she uses to keep students focused.

What they're thinking

Some students said senioritis sets in when they realize they are leaving their childhoods behind.

"It's like the free ride's over, so I'd better try to make the most of it," said Central senior Mackenzie Price. "It's not so much of a slide as a realization that I'm about to be an adult."

Weir and Central senior Eric Niswonger said students who experience the worst bouts of senioritis are those who didn't take the more challenging courses earlier in their high school career and are now working for credits needed for graduation.

"It helps you have a more relaxed senior year," Weir said. "I had most of my credits my junior year, so I only have one class that's for a credit to graduate."

Niswonger also has a more relaxed school schedule, although the easier schedule doesn't guarantee no studying will be required. He said the best cure for senioritis is to stay focused on classwork and preparing for adulthood.

"I guess you just gotta be strong and keep telling yourself there's not much time left," said Niswonger.

Central counselor Katy Anderson said seniors are about to make major decisions about their lives, so most of them are taking one final opportunity to enjoy youthful freedom.

"They're scared, I think, and it's just how they're reacting to it," said Anderson. "With weather, the vacations, and lots of activities going on at school, it gets them excited.

We just have to remind the seniors of their goals."