We have all heard of the term "Senioritis", the chronic lack of motivation, desire, and/or interest in school-related activities. Those who suffer from this illness are often found binge watching Netflix in pizza stained t-shirts, arriving late or sometimes not at all to class, excessive partying, and, generally speaking, a rather raunchy and unkempt physical appearance. This illness can affect all genders, ages, and ethnic backgrounds. In fact, the only cure for Senioritis is graduation, the official ceremony that ends all suffering and brings on new chapters. There is just something about wearing those itchy caps and gowns that make all the suffering worth it. It is the sudden realization that the same old routine that you have known for 4 years is now over.

Personally, I had suffered a mild case of Senioritis in my last few months of high school. My symptoms were fairly normal. I was over the high school drama, the same old people, and the same old routine. I did everything right, taking all AP classes and scoring well on the ACT. I even managed to score an amazing scholarship from my college. I had gone to proms and joined the usual clubs. BUT, by the time March came around, I was so done. In fact, I’m not even sure if I brought a backpack to school those last few months. By then, the only thing we were given to do throughout the day was busy work. We had to wrap up a couple easy assignments, attend senior breakfast, baccalaureate, and make sure all photos were submitted to yearbook staff. Although my symptoms of Senioritis were mild, one thing was for certain, I was NOT one of those girls dreading college or leaving my hometown. Now, don’t get me wrong, I certainly shed a few tears at graduation for those select few I knew I would miss. I was nervous. I am the first in my family to go to a 4-year university. I had no idea what to expect, but holy cow was I ready to find out.

Fast forward a few years and now I’m a senior in college. College has been the hardest yet most amazing experience of my life. I have never been so stressed but so happy. I have never been so enlightened. I’ve made incredible friends and formed lasting relationships with professors. I am a member of an inspiring sorority filled with sisters and future bridesmaids. But with summer coming to an end, senior year is now looming over me like a dark cloud. Don’t get me wrong folks; I am SO ready to head back. In fact, I can’t wait for it to start. The problem here is that I can wait for it to end. I can wait for the next chapter in my life. I can wait for a little while longer. The next chapter, whatever that may be, terrifies me. I am not ready to leave this perfect little world found at my college campus. This perfect world is where my best friends are my neighbors, where costume parties are a regular thing, and where I can study my passions with mentors and professors that share the same passions.

Friends, I am suffering from a new kind of Senioritis, a new strand. This is a strand where seniors don’t want to leave their soon to be Alma Mater. This is where seniors show symptoms of excessive interest in every school event possible, for they know it will be their last. This is where sufferers find themselves trying to squeeze an overboard of plans in their Lilly Pulitzer agenda, taking way too many pictures to commemorate final memories, and having panic attacks in their advisor's office because they don’t know what is going to happen next. What is the cure, you ask? I don’t have an answer just yet, but a clever pin on my Pinterest says “Don’t count the days. Make the days count”. I have a feeling these are the words to live by. So, take those extra selfies with your roommate; go to that football game or party; relish in those long nights glaring at a 20-page homework assignment that you waited way too long to start on. Why? Because before you know it, these days will be gone. The next chapter may be uncertain, but these memories can be taken with you anywhere.