Similarities Between Boiling Frogs and College Seniors

Reported By: Zoditu Schwind

Illustrated BY: Addie Patterson

I sit in front of my computer. My fingers are poised to type this article, but they hover above the keys, unable to select the correct letters. I look across the table at my roommate who’s staring blankly at her computer screen. A sudden paralysis has overtaken us both. This is just one of the many unusual symptoms of late. The struggle to get out of bed, the sluggish trod to our classes, and our new perception of assignment due dates as “suggestions” all point to a fearful diagnosis: senioritis. 

  During class, I’ve often found myself browsing plane tickets—did you know a round trip to Cuba is $392? Cuba, the country of Castro, communism, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the beloved home of American singer Camila Cabello (recall her song “Havana”). Also, tickets to the remote city of Sitka, Alaska are only $275. In the romantic comedy, “The Proposal,” Sitka is the hometown of Ryan Reynold’s fictitious character. Maybe, I too will find love there. It’s a toss-up; should I book weekend flights to Havana or Sitka? 

Look, nobody ever imagines getting senioritis. I was a good student. I had the grades, the drive, and the willpower to stay up late to finish assignments; I lived by the motto, “Early [submissions are] on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable!” But, oh how the mighty have fallen! Senioritis infection was gradual, resemblant of a boiling frog: by the time the frog is aware of the temperature change, it’s too late for the poor guy. I weirdly sympathize with my amphibious friend. 

For me, it was a gradual mentality change. Unbidden questions seeped in: you already sent your grades to graduate school, what does this semester matter? You’ve worked hard enough, haven’t you? You already have a job offer, so why the effort? Little, by little, these questions changed my thought patterns and before I knew it, I was mentally and physically checking out. Perhaps, it was this realization that made me want to write this article in the first place. It is my last semester after all, and I really do want to be fully present! So, is there a remedy? 

“Remedy” is too strong a word, but there are a couple of things that might help with symptom alleviation. First, if you are a senior (or anyone for that matter) sit down with yourself for a moment. Get a piece of paper and a pen and write out your goals for this semester. As bittersweet as this may be, envision your graduated self. Ask yourself how you want to feel by the time you get there. You might want to apply yourself more to your classes, be more intentional about meeting with professors, or schedule more times to hang out with your friends. Write whatever comes to mind. 

Now, as daunting as this may seem, there are about nine weeks left of this semester. The second thing I’d encourage you to do is to look at your brainstormed list and see if you can divide some of those goals into corresponding weeks. Maybe studying for that quiz you’ve been avoiding will happen this week, and grabbing coffee with a friend will be next week's goal. This is just a little exercise I’ve tried instituting lately, and though it hasn’t eradicated my senioritis, it sure has helped to slow it down.

Finally, if you are a senior, there is a level of pride you should have in yourself. You’ve made it this far already! Have courage even in your wrestling with senioritis. This too shall pass! And would you look at that … it’s already time for my daily nap.