As the second semester gets into full swing, many seniors are pumping the brakes and experiencing the phenomenon: senioritis. What many don’t realize is that succumbing to senioritis actually causes the stress they are trying to avoid.
The main problem with senioritis is procrastination. Students wait until the last minute to turn in assignments, turning them in late or just not doing them at all. They procrastinate because they don’t want to keep going through the stress that they have been going through, but most don’t realize they are causing more stress for themselves. According to McLearn Hospital, by putting work off, the brain keeps thinking about it subconsciously and causes the release of stress hormones.
Many seniors often show up late to classes, especially their first period, simply because they don’t want to be there. The argument is that they have a number of absences and tardies allowed before being required to take finals at the end of the year, but these calculations add more stress that can be avoided by showing up on time and sticking to a schedule. Piedmont Healthcare said that the predictability of a schedule relieves stress. When a schedule suddenly and drastically changes, the body reacts by releasing stress hormones.
To add onto the problems of waking up late, many rely on caffeine to resolve their exhaustion, but that only heightens stress levels. According to the National Library of Medicine, caffeine does raise dopamine levels, increasing productivity, but after a tolerance is built up, those extra hormones add stress to the body and brain. Most seniors have built up a tolerance for caffeine because they have had large amounts of caffeine at least once a day.
As hard as it may seem, seniors should keep to their schedule and stay up to date on work. Though there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it seems like these last few months don’t matter, don’t let that get to the brain. By staying on track and continuing with life as it has been for the past three years, stress levels are lowered and senior year is more enjoyable.
