After months of late nights spent editing college essays, fighting to stay on top of homework and refreshing application portals, there was only one thing keeping me motivated: the promise of an easy, laid back second semester. By the time first semester finally ended, the term “senioritis” became the go-to diagnosis for any senior who found themselves falling behind on assignments or simply losing the same academic spark they had in September. As seniors begin letting their foot off the gas, the term becomes a way to explain their own exhaustion. 

But here’s the thing: “senioritis” is often more than just a lighthearted label. It’s a mask for a more serious academic burnout caused by the stress of the college application process.

In the span of just a few months, seniors are juggling college applications, personal essays, recommendation letters, schoolwork and extracurriculars. Many of us are playing sports or holding leadership positions in clubs, trying to leave their mark before graduation. Some of us are working jobs or helping out at home. After months of meeting deadlines, the emotional weight of awaiting decisions, managing painful rejections and dealing with the stress of social comparisons never goes away. After months of sprinting, we’re expected to fall right back into the rhythm of school as if none of it ever happened.

To me, that’s not laziness — it’s burnout. I’ve even felt it myself, spending late nights editing essays while unfinished school work sits in the next browser tab. The mental drain of such a demanding time in our lives takes a mental, emotional and even physical toll.

Some of that burnout often gets chalked up to the fact that second semester “doesn’t count” for college admissions. While it may not play a role in the college admissions process, seniors shouldn’t use this as a reason to check out completely. This semester is still a part of our high school journey and shouldn’t just be shrugged off as a deadline. Whether it’s a passion project or simply challenging ourselves to finish a research paper, these choices help us finish the year with intention, setting a foundation for what comes after graduation.

So, this isn’t a time to shame tired students, nor is it an excuse to stop trying. Recognizing this burnout doesn’t mean giving up — it means being honest about how we feel while finding solutions to finish high school on a good note. It’s important to stop laughing off these struggles as “senioritis,” because the reality is much more complicated than that.