A Senior’s Reflection on her Last Semester

the end of college is never as easy as it seems… 

As the last semester of college begins, seniors across the country often find themselves facing a challenge that is unique to their final stretch in academia: senioritis. This so-called “disease” tends to affect students in their final semester, leaving them struggling to maintain motivation as they prepare for graduation. While some students may experience a drop in motivation, others may become more proactive, but the common theme is that the end of college is never as easy as it seems. 

At Kansas Wesleyan University, many seniors are feeling the weight of this condition as they approach the finish line. One such student is Lexi Marquez, a senior on the flag football team who has been at Kansas Wesleyan since day one of her freshman year. Lexi, like many seniors, has a complex relationship with the idea of senioritis. 

For her, senioritis isn’t just about a lack of motivation. “To me, senioritis means a couple of different things,” she explains. “First, it’s an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment, and I associate it with a big milestone, which is graduation. Although it’s a really great feeling, it also can be an unmotivating feeling. I feel like it really hit second semester with the motivation to want to do the schoolwork.” 

“With the good also comes the bad,”

While Lexi’s pride in her achievements is evident, she also acknowledges the challenges that come with the end of her college experience. “With the good also comes the bad,” she adds. “It definitely has hit me. As proud of myself as I am—with graduation being a student-athlete and being the first college graduate in my family—it also makes me a little bit sad.” 

For Lexi, this semester is full of “lasts”—the final days of school, the last first game, senior night, and many other routine moments she’s used to sharing with the people she’s grown close to over the years. “I’ve come into the realization that it’s going to be a lot of lasts with the people who became my family over the last four years,” she shares. “The last day of school, my last first game, senior night… a whole bunch of routine things I’m used to doing with the people I love more.”

“I wish I could redo college all over again.” 

This realization brings with it feelings of anxiety, especially for someone who doesn’t like change. “I don’t like change, so that gives me a little bit of anxiety,” Lexi admits. “I wish I could redo college all over again.” 

Leaving behind the familiar faces, routines, and memories from the past four years can be difficult. The friendships, experiences, and personal growth that come with college are things that seniors like Lexi will carry with them as they transition to the next stage of their lives. And yet, even though she is excited about what’s to come, Lexi’s emotions reflect the complex nature of senioritis. It’s not just about the lack of motivation—it’s about the emotional weight of leaving behind what’s familiar and stepping into the unknown.