Though many seniors are excited to be wrapping up their last year of high school, it does come with a few drawbacks that tend to go unnoticed as they all prepare to graduate.

During the last year, most seniors notice a lack of motivation to do any of their work. This is called senioritis. While it could just be burnout from working so hard, it could also be the sadness of having to let go of relationships and experiences that were made throughout the years. The fear of having to step into the real world is also often unnoticed at this time. It can be difficult to figure out what they want to do. Applying to colleges is also stressful and can quickly become a priority so schoolwork ends up getting put aside.

Student Marcos Soriano-Martinez says although his senior year is going fine, its not what he expected. From all of the testimonials he has heard from previous students, Marcos thinks he set his “expectations too high.” Student Catharine Gregorio says, “it’s harder than I thought” she feels like there is a lot of pressure to manage everything. Their expectations were quite similar but when asked what advice they would give upcoming freshmen, their responses were different. Marcos thinks managing your time and having your priorities straight is important while Cate thinks all the hardships will be worth it when you walk across the stage.

A handful of emotions spiral down for seniors, and we often treat it as laziness. It’s important to remember they are all trying their best while also preparing for their big day. Let’s be sure to send some extra support to the seniors as they may need it while they navigate through their final year of High School.