Senior Spring

Photo by Leighton Glass

The most important aspect of senior spring is the spirit of lightness as the stress and anxiety of school no longer restricts seniors. After the first semester ends and college applications are submitted, some seniors feel comfortable enough to abandon their initially intense, disciplined approach to their academics. Thus, what is to come during the final four months of school no longer matters. In short, this relief of pressure allows seniors to embrace a more leisurely, relaxed mindset.

While these positive sentiments make the senior student population much happier and create a more memorable end to their Middlesex experience, they simultaneously have the tendency to create problematic behavior. The term “senioritis” suggests that this controversial behavior is both troublesome and infectious. For many students, “senioritis” begins after their college acceptances from the early round. For others, it has only begun to start now with the second semester fully in session and for a select few it will begin as an extension of March break as the weather becomes warmer.

My understanding is that “senioritis” mostly has to do with the prioritization of their social and emotional health over school life. Students become checked out during classes, arrive late, or simply don’t show up at all, all while keeping up with their courses at a minimum level.​​ There are no exams for students to be concerned or stressed about, and AP exams, while they may be helpful, are no longer an advantage for college acceptance--they only determine placement if a 4 or 5 is earned. Instead of studying or being diligent about their presence at school during the academic day, they seek out their social circles or social media platforms. Another extension of “senioritis” is the prioritization of physical health over their academic work: students especially take care of themselves by making sure they get their sleep. 

Regardless, the combination of this sudden change in mindset and weather makes seniors prone to impulsivity. For example, it is common for an upsurge in the number of senior couples in the last stages of the year, a trend which sometimes results in rash, experimental, and youthful decisions that the weather in particular tends to incite. During social events on campus such as dances, seniors might be making more problematic choices in the air and spirit of carelessness and fun. 

Interestingly enough, “senioritis” might be best reflected by what goes on off-campus. In this sense, seniors have abandoned Middlesex, removing themselves fully from the academic center of life. They are also more independent and more comfortable being their carefree selves. Especially when given extended periods of free time during double block lunches or community time, seniors take off from campus during the school week with their friends. 

Personally, I don’t believe that I will become academically checked out, but, nevertheless, I am still prone to abandoning a fixed, disciplined mindset in regards to school life. I see myself spending more time at home with my family or with local friends. However, despite it being la primavera or le Printemps--a new, fresh time during the cycle of the year-- I will recognize this spring as an end. 

My four years at Middlesex have brought amazing experiences I will hold close to me. I will forever be grateful for my dear friends, the outstanding faculty, staff members, and the entire Middlesex community. Indeed, before I move on to college, I will take meaningful time this spring to reflect and make the most out of my time at Middlesex, closing a chapter that I will only read again in my distant memories and embarking on an ambiguous journey in the real world. 

Luca Raffa