All around the world, seniors in high school are suffering. Nearly 250 seniors at Fallston have been affected this school year. A disease worse than any virus, head cold, or flu…Senioritis. What makes this illness so deadly is that it’s almost incurable (for 9 months at least).
Studies show it peaked in January. Not to make this all about me, but I’ve been severely affected by this sickness, and it’s had me down in the dumps all year, specifically in the winter. Throughout the month of January, I noticed my symptoms getting significantly worse. A significant side effect of the disease is the constant use of the phrase “I’ll do it tomorrow,” whether it be in class when an assignment is given or after school when the fatigue hits hard. For me personally, these are my famous last words. Before I know it, the next day comes and suddenly I can’t bring myself to complete a single assignment I said I would.
I’ll admit that I hated on those who were infected in previous years until I contracted it myself and understood, and now that I’m part of the large population that has been affected drastically, I would never wish this tragedy on my worst enemy. I thought everyone was just “being dramatic” or that it “couldn’t happen to me.” Upon further reflection and experience, I now know that this mindset is very dangerous to have approaching senior year, because it CAN happen to you, and it most likely will. I even had norovirus in January, and I can confirm that Senioritis is worse (and battling the two at once was not a challenge for the weak). Once Senioritis gets its hands on you it won’t let go. Norovirus lasted days; Senioritis lasts a lifetime (a school year).
This disease has truly drained the life out of me. It even took away my love for writing articles for The Print (sorry, Mrs. Price) and has made it 10 times harder to get out of bed in the morning. I sit around every day wondering when I’ll be cured, and when I, along with my fellow seniors, will come out stronger on the other side and look back at this tragic time and laugh. This is my story, and this is my truth. With that being said, I hope anyone reading this keeps all seniors in their thoughts at this time. To the juniors, I pray that if you catch Senioritis next year, you’ll remain brave through the battle and overcome it.
Finally, I’d like to say…to all my fellow brave class of 2025 soldiers fighting this deadly illness, stay strong out there, and keep fighting the good fight! Only 3 more months until relief will come …graduation, senior week, and summer!
