Senioritis is the colloquial name for the decreased motivation toward education felt by students who are nearing the end of their high school, college, graduate school careers, or the end of a school year in general. Senioritis can be described for any grade, although it is mostly said to occur in senior-level students. Senioritis is not a recognized medical condition, but a colloquial term in the United States and Canada that combines the word senior with the medical suffix -itis.
In serious cases where students allow their grades to drop significantly, universities may rescind offers of admission. However, most colleges rarely rescind admission offers, and even the most elite schools only revoke them from a very small number of students.
The time gap between college and university admissions, which are usually decided by March or April, and final exams, which usually are not until early May (e.g. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes), may cause a lack of motivation in seniors.
There are several strategies to mitigate the impact of senioritis. For example, setting goals, including both short and long term, may motivate students to remain on track academically. Another strategy is taking breaks during mentally exhausting tasks, which may alleviate some sensations of stress, and decrease burnout. Rewarding accomplishments, no matter how small, can provide a sense of pride in one's achievements.
James Coleman, writer and Chairman of the President's Panel of Youth, urged changes in the high school curriculum to address the problem of senioritis. These concerns gave rise to the implementation of a "Senior Semester" in many high schools throughout the country, which allowed seniors to spend time outside the school or attend seminars in their specific interests.
The College Board, the National Youth Leadership Council, and other youth-serving organizations suggest that there are many ways schools can help young people make the most of their senior year instead of succumbing to the temptation to take it easy once graduation is assured. Giving young people opportunities to make their academic work more meaningful through service-learning, or other forms of experiential education, can increase students' academic aspirations.