The struggles of senior year are becoming ever prevalent as the final months of high school come to an end for the class of 2025. Senior year feels like it will never end, but eventually the time seems to disappear. The final months don’t come without their fair share of stressors. An emotional rollercoaster in nature, graduating from high school will leave one’s life looking entirely different than it did a month ago.
It all starts with graduation preparations. Graduation parties every weekend remind seniors that their time together with classmates is limited. They are a chance for students to celebrate their achievements, as well as recognize their peers’ accomplishments. While these parties are filled with good vibes, they also remind students of the goodbyes they are about to make. For some, this is an emotional experience as they begin to realize their high school career will soon come to an end. “Graduation parties are bittersweet for me because it’s something that reminds us we won’t be all together again,” said senior Rigsby Gullet.
The final months of senior year mark an onset of endless opportunities for fun, counteracted with a sudden increase of responsibility. Prom, senior trips, and graduation are on the horizon, yet so are final projects, IB exams, and for some – college. Balancing both perfectly is a task nearly impossible for the young mind of a senior. Their carefree days will forever dwindle from this point forward, and finding a wild equilibrium between fun and responsibility is a real struggle for some. Senior Preston Vassar said, “School is not slowing down, but our social life isn’t either.”
Quite honestly, most seniors’ motivation took a nosedive back in January, and it hasn’t made a recovery since. Academic burnout is real, and Senioritis is in full bloom. Springtime can often feel like a new beginning, but for seniors it’s all old news. It feels like school is nearly done, and the rest of the school year will be smooth sailing. In reality, the stress of final exams undermine any relaxation the school is offering. IB French teacher Mr. Maury said, “Senioritis is a common occurrence with my seniors, and sometimes it even rubs off on me.”
It’s a time full of “lasts.” The last game, the last class, the last dance, or the last lunch in the cafeteria. All meaningless early in high school, these simple things are often the most visceral part of graduating high school. Everything – from the stairwell to the parking deck – generates a sense of nostalgia to those who will soon never see the halls again. “I never thought the parking deck would mean so much to me,” said senior Hunter Black.
As the final months of high school for the class of 2025 approach swiftly, the chaotic, bittersweet vibe of senior year leaves an unfamiliar feeling for seniors.
