- Kelly Bambini,
Senior elementary education major
As the end of another spring semester draws near, senior students likely have numerous thoughts racing through their minds. Unfortunately, schoolwork is not one of them.
Whether concerned over finding a job or simply lacking motivation, many seniors find focusing on classwork suddenly becomes much more challenging when graduation appears on the horizon. This struggle is a real issue for upperclassmen across campus as many have already fallen victim to what is commonly referred to as “senioritis”.
Kelly Bambini, senior elementary education major, is one of the many seniors attempting to combat the effects of “senioritis” while doing her best to finish strong before moving on to a teaching career.
“'Senioritis has definitely kicked in for me, but I can't let it show because I'm student teaching ... so this last semester has actually been the most stressful throughout my four years,” Bambini said. “I am just really anxious to graduate and finally be done.”
Future obligations, including potential jobs and internships, put even more strain on seniors to maintain a respectable grade point average. This adds to the overall anxiety that has been steadily mounting. For soon-to-be graduates, new responsibilities can be both exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.
“All students get anxious as the semester comes to an end and summer gets closer, but for seniors it's the end of college for us. We are just starting to realize that we are now being thrown into the real world,” Bambini said.
This nervousness is well justified, especially considering the obstacles that lay ahead could possibly place these young adults in entirely new situations and take them outside of their element.
Even senior-level instructors have taken notice of the degree to which “senioritis” has had an impact on their students. Maria Moore, assistant professor in the School of Communication, explained how she attempts to keep her students stimulated during the demanding stretches of their college careers.
“Seniors are being pulled in lots of directions as they prepare for graduation and a place in the world of work. The demands are daunting,” Moore said. “I understand this, and do my best as a teacher to find tactics to keep them engaged and focused.”
Moore went on to explain that this can sometimes be as simple as incorporating a brief group discussion or project to encourage student involvement.
It is at this point in time that graduation seems to be within an arm’s reach and an individual's abilities are put to the ultimate test. The knowledge and skills accumulated throughout their college careers thus far will surely prove to be the key to their success. Four years of hard work is about to pay off, and all that stands between them and the finish line is one final push.
Though it will certainly not be easy, Moore remains confident in her pupils’ ability to greet these challenges head-on.
“There is an anxiety in the classroom that is different in the spring, but students seem to figure it all out and eventually get through it,” she said.