Senior Slump

For the Class of 2020, the year is almost over, and we’re all stuck at home on lockdown, taking virtual classes, and waiting to graduate in some form or fashion. Most of us already knew, or thought we knew, what we’re doing next year. 

But one thing is for sure: we won’t be at Jemicy.

Senioritis

Everyday we still get up, login to Google Meet, and try our hardest. But for what?

Chances are that even if seniors get all D’s in the final trimester, college will not rescind our applications.

So why bother?

For some it’s almost mindless, like they are dogs trained to perform at their highest level academically at all times. While for others, maybe they work just so their parents don’t get upset with them? Perhaps some students just really like being successful and won’t let the fact that the work is meaningless stop them from overachieving? Or, maybe they just want to learn?

However, as a student accepted to Towson University, I do still make a point to get all my assignments done and login to my virtual lessons daily. Well, almost everyday.

There’s a group of seniors passing up on the opportunity of furthering their formal education and instead are either joining the military or the workforce. For these kids, their grades actually have no significance, other than to graduate from high school.

So why are all the students so stressed out about insignificant matters?

As I already stated, for some it’s an instinct to be incredibly pressed over their academic achievement. I would like to congratulate these students on their admirable dedication to the learning process. It’s just that at this time of year, seniors around the world suffer from senioritis. Senioritis, as defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is, “an ebbing of motivation and effort by school seniors as evidenced by tardiness, absences, and lower grades.”

So, for the seniors, as you finish up your last year of high school, make sure to enjoy yourselves, try new things, and don’t let anyone impede you from chasing your dreams. Use this time at home to reflect, recharge and recalibrate.

Future Plans

Students at Jemicy have many contrasting plans for the future. Some are absolutely sure what they want to do, while others have no idea. Alex Nachman ‘20 is attending the Community College of Baltimore County in the fall.

When asked why he didn’t want to attend a four-year college, Nachman cited that he wasn’t quite sure what his plans were as of yet.

 “CCBC is cheaper and I’m not even sure exactly what I want to do yet, so I’m not trying to waste my time and money.”

And on his senior slump? Well, it started back in September.

“I definitely tried less hard this year than last,” said Nachman.

Mr. Matt Diana agrees with Nachman’s reduced effort this year.

“I think Alex has moments of real inspiration, but for the most part he’s a pretty unmotivated student.”

Senior Bobby Gould is also coasting a bit to the finish line, but he too has a plan that he doesn’t think involves academics. 

“I want to go join the Coast Guard because I like to swim and want to jump out of helicopters. Academics don’t mean anything when I’m done with Jemicy. I learned everything I need to know here.”

Let’s hope so!

Others obviously are going the more traditional four-year college route.

In the fall, Spencer Knolle ‘20 will attend Kutztown University where he hopes to pursue Criminal Justice. Knolle pointed out that his reasons for choosing Kutztown are not solely based on academic opportunity however.

 “My dad went there, and it’s a big party school.”

These are not the best reasons for spending four years of your life at an academic institution.  Most importantly, Kutztown’s not really that big of a party school; the student population is only 8500 and the university is surrounded by some of the dullest towns America has to offer, most notably Scranton, Pennsylvania, where the arguably the dullest show on television was set.

The Office’s setting is in lovely Scranton, PA.

But that’s OK.

The truth is Spencer definitely has no idea what he’s getting into, which is the same for nearly all college-bound students, but that’s the beauty of growing up and going to college. I know he’s going to have a blast and, most important, get a good education. He’ll be just fine.

The Road Ahead

Everyone has friends in high school who they will drift apart from, but going to live somewhere else with new people enables you to make new and maybe even stronger connections, says Diana.

“College is a moment where you have to embrace being out of place, but after that, it will be a life-changing experience.”

Making new friends and trying new things does not make you a different person; it’s always the most important to be yourself even if people don’t like you at first. If you make friends for the wrong reasons, you will either end up hating them or hating yourself.

Enjoy your last few months of high school, survive this uncharted territory we find ourselves in, and get ready for the most crucial, life defining-years of your life.

Here’s to you Class of 2020.