Every chef, from Gordon Ramsay to Buzzfeed YouTuber, harks the warning: Rest your meat before you cut.

Likewise, seniors are in danger of ending their academic careers with feeling immense burnout, often coined as “senioritis.” 

Seniors have been cooking over three years in the scorching heat of classes, sparkly extracurriculars, and sports, challenging their mental and physical capacities. And somehow, at the very most important time of the year, motivation falls short. 

Senior Campbell Brown remarks that senioritis hit during the first week of school with her first assignments. However, rather than falling into a slump, Brown has been getting work done by force. 

Recently, ‘Panther Plus’ options have expanded for seniors-one being exclusive access to “Scholar Sips,” the in-house coffee shop at South. As a “Scholar Sips” staff member, Brown sees the coffee shop as a safe haven for seniors, where “[they] know the people, and it’s relaxing, and [a place to] get coffee, which is the only way to survive [the] school day.” 

Likewise, Senior Jael Davis finds new privileges, such as the senior library Panther Plus, beneficial. Although Davis hasn’t yet experienced senioritis, she did as an underclassman. Davis notes that freshman year is often overlooked, but an important time to set the stage for students’ academic careers. 

To balance work and school, Davis recommends having a clear to-do list and relying on mentors and counselors. “…[o]nce you’re doing so many clubs it’s like ‘What I am doing?’ [But] once you write down a list, it’s like ‘Oh, I really don’t have much to do.’” 

Senior Hugo Bout sees the advantages of careful procrastination and distance from schoolwork in mitigating burnout. By participating in meaningful activities, Bout finds more focus when coming back to work with a sense of urgency. “If you push off a little bit, then that deadline can really feel a little more important,” Bout stated, “…even though they’ll say that’s not a good strategy, you could set a fake deadline for yourself [to] help you get stuff done [faster], because you’ll know it’s more important.”  

Alumnus Chantelle Miller (Class of ‘22), now a junior at Purdue University, recounts her senior mornings as especially difficult with “ dragging [her] feet going to class.” Miller points out that it is still important to do well with colleges rescinding applications. 

Miller finds that “…once all [college applications were] over, it was really easy breezy. So chug through it. You’ll be okay.” 

Finite and PantherUp teacher Drew Frey primarily teaches seniors, and sees senioritis as more than just burnout. Frey views senioritis as the contradictory feeling of looking forward to life post-graduation while still being a student. However, this often leaves seniors on their “escalators,” unable to move forward while moving closer to graduation. 

To combat senioritis, Frey recommended “[not to] let it become overwhelming, and once it [does], ask for help… Friend, teacher, counselor, graduation coach, parent, whatever that person might be for you, go and get help,” Frey noted, “[b]ut try not to let it get there.”

However, solutions to major burnout are not one-size-fits-all. Frey sees the importance of consistently being on top of work but also acknowledges that many students need breaks to conserve their energy. 

Additionally, creating mental or physical lists can help prioritize time-sensitive and demanding work, even if that trumps finite homework. “I’m going to fill out this college application I’ve been meaning to do… maybe I’m not going to study for my finite test tonight…but I’m going to be okay.” Likewise, for working students who can’t make flexible schedules, it’s important to make time for other responsibilities. 

Frey noted that “it’s going to be unpleasant, it’s not going to be enjoyable, and that’s okay…You kinda take those minor unpleasantries and say ‘Alright, I have to do this.’”

With communities we can depend on, comprehensive to-do lists, and our hobbies, seniors can finish the year strong. 

For seniors especially, but warmly to all juniors, sophomores, freshmen, and even teachers feeling any “-itis”: Rest (accordingly), and stay a happy, juicy hunk of meat.