 | | | A swimmer and pianist, Caie Kelley, a senior at Miramonte High School, is an officer of Club Be the Star You Are!(r) and the What's Poppin' reporter on Express Yourself!(tm) Teen Radio. | | | | | | The references to "senioritis" began as a freshman, when I noticed the senior parking lot of my high school increasingly empty on Monday mornings and heard the word tossed around in the hallways during passing periods. I watched the eldest members of my public speaking team relax a bit more as they looked forward to college and moving away from home. The time to kick back and be free seemed so far away-yet as I write now, four years later, I am in the middle of my final semester of high school, and the question has risen again - is "senioritis" real?
For many, the answer is a resounding yes. On the last day of first semester finals, Miramonte High School senior David Ellman said that in the next couple of months, he would be taking every opportunity to not do "busy" work. "Instead of cramming for standardized tests, I've spent my weekends driving down to the beach, exploring new parts of the Bay Area, and watching new TV shows, like 'House of Cards.'" Fellow classmate Margot Odell agreed, saying, "These last couple of months are about relishing the little time we have still left at home. For me that means working less on the activities I had to do for college or for school, and more on crafting and other do-it-yourself hobbies that I really enjoy."
Many seniors have dropped their most difficult class to ensure less stressful final months. As one friend explained, "With my extra free period, I can sleep in a little later, finish up on last minute work, and pursue activities outside of school like yoga or painting that a regular high school schedule doesn't allow for." Though the word has a negative connotation among school administrators and teachers, it seems that many Lamorinda teens are using their second-semester senior status for pursuits that benefit their mental, physical, and emotional health.
Of course, others disagree. Senior Ben Chiu stated, "Senioritis is a falsehood. It is self-perpetuated and used as an excuse, but the reality is that falling behind in school is not a good idea. My teachers have not eased up, and our workload is just as much as it was before." Whether seniorities is a myth or a fact, to manage these last couple of months, Lamorinda seniors need to balance a desire for ultimate relaxation with the reality that we still need to show up and work diligently to graduate with grace!
Teen Scene is YOUR voice. If you have something to say or have writing skills and want to be part of our Teen Scene team, email our Teen Coach, Cynthia Brian, Cynthia@CynthiaBrian.com.
The opinions expressed in Teen Scene are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lamorinda Weekly.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA