As the clock winds down on the last quarter of the final semester, many seniors are battling a familiar face – senioritis. After four years of routines, classes, and traditions, seniors are beginning to feel the anticipation of what comes next.

“I have senioritis,” senior Robert Mares said. “I just sit and wait for each class period to end. The weekends feel like summer already, and then you have to go back to school on Monday. I don’t even really care what I wear to school anymore, I just go to school and wait until 2:26 every day.”

Mares admits that the excitement of graduation has changed how he approaches the final stretch of high school. As he tries to complete his work in the easiest way possible, he appreciates that many teachers are becoming more understanding.

“Most teachers kind of understand it now, so they’re more lenient on late work or how much effort I put in,” Mares said.

But he’s not the only senior feeling the effects of senioritis.

Senior Roman Valdez also recognizes how hard it is to stay motivated, especially when distractions are everywhere. He said balancing the urge to coast through the final semester with staying on track is challenging for many students.

“I started focusing down and realizing this isn’t the end, I have college to worry about too,” Valdez said. “High school is a small step forward to the bag, and that’s what matters.

But not only does Valdez feel this way but many of his peers are in the same boat.

“Yes, I have a senioritis pretty bad. It’s hard to manage, but definitely manageable,” senior Kenrie Pruitt said. “I just try to get most of my work done in class so I don’t have homework or anything like that.”

As the school year nears its end, seniors are pushing through, hoping to balance the excitement of graduation with patience to finish