Yage Wang— Staff Writer 

It always starts around the same time every year. When the spring breeze does not carry snowflakes but rather drizzles and cloudy skies, seniors can’t help but sense the boredom that’s breeding in the bottom of their hearts. To put it simply, they’re tired of schoolwork. This communal, mental celebration for the closure of the college years has earned itself a special name: senioritis. 

The symptoms of senioritis can include, but are not limited to, randomly quitting part-time jobs, continuously turning in late essays, and spontaneously sleeping more than usual.  

“I really love the end of the semester,” Erika Uribe, a senior computer science major, said. “And I’m also super stressed, so I quit my work because I really want to focus on the rest of my projects.” 

For the past four years, Uribe has been dedicatedly devoting her precious college free time in the Commons to pay off her tuition. This semester, however, she decided to quit her stable and well-payingjob before the final week. When Uribe was taking the interview, she showed symptoms of approaching what might be called the “I don’t care” temperament of senioritis II.

“Yes, it’s getting there,” Uribe said, “‘Because the ending is getting so close. But I do have to care to finish everything.” 

For the last week of school, Uribe’s former roommate is coming to visit and they’re planning on spending time together. 

“Of course, I will not be doing my assignments,” Uribe said with a smirk.

While some students are stressed out and trying to get over whatever lies in front of them, others divert their attention to the more-distant future. 

For Yovela Belicia, she has turned her attention to Jakarta, Indonesia—her home city and the place where she will teach high school English post-graduation.

“It’s kind of this weird feeling. I get excited while I don’t know what the future will hold. I kind of have that hope, I guess, and maybe a little bit excitement. But maybe I’m just worried because I don’t know what the future looks like.” Belicia said.

Considering Belicia’s status, she’s been diagnosed with senioritis III: the “inner-peace” stage. She’s conquered the emotional turbulence of a senior, which can be the consequence of student teaching for the spring semester.

Those who study off-campus have another interesting take on senioritis.

“Spring semester is weird and interesting,” said David Riadi, a senior computer science major participating in the Chicago semester, “I have to take classes and work at the same time. And because of this, I don’t focus that much on schoolwork instead. So, I just do as much as I can and focus mainly on finding work, my internship, and other projects.” 

On the cusp of becoming more financially independent, Riadi, and all the rest of the seniors, are more than ready to embrace graduation.