WOODBURY — The moment every high school senior looks forward to is on the horizon. Graduation is only two months away, and senioritis is seemingly in full swing as most of Nonnewaug’s senior students are considering themselves clocked out.
“I’ve definitely been slacking,” said senior student Luke Tarini, who plans on transitioning into a full-time position in his warehouse job after graduation. “I’m just ready to graduate and go off to work.”
Plenty of students planning on going off to college have already heard word from schools regarding their acceptance status, and those who know what school they’ll be going to find themselves more concerned about their future schooling than their current academics.
“The colleges I want to go to already accepted me,” said senior Shanyn Hardisty, who will be attending a four-year college this fall and will be taking AP exams next month. “My work here feels pointless knowing I’m already going to college.”
Some students aren’t focusing on work life or college after high school; they are working more towards serving their community and even the military.
“I’ve been interested in the military for a while, and it definitely has made me more focused on other things that aren’t school,” said senior Emmet Ray, who plans on joining the Marines this fall.
For faculty, dragging apathetic seniors across the graduation finish line can be grueling.
“For most, their effort and engagement wanes; they’re reaching the end of their educational journey,” said Marisa Holtman, a Nonnewaug English teacher who often teachers seniors.
This lethargy has forced faculty members like Holtman to focus on a skill all graduates will need once they cross the graduation stage June 15: the skill of collaboration.
“One way I try to motivate seniors especially is to encourage group, collaborative work,” Holtman added. “Tasks can seem less daunting when it’s divvied up, and if they can work with their friends, it’s a win-win for all.”
Despite the fatigue, some NHS students still push through the environment of being laid back and careless.
“I still like to keep up on what I can, especially with some of my higher-level classes,” said senior Gianna Ruby-DaSilva, who is enrolled in four AP courses. “I think it’ll help me out a bit when I’m off to college. For me, it’s good to keep up that habit for college.”
Students should ultimately remember, just because they’ve been accepted into a school, have a job lined up, or a military career on the horizon, the school year isn’t quite over just yet, and grades are still coming in at their typical full effect.
“An academic slide in the springtime could carry on in college, especially when the weather grows nicer and students get antsy for the end of year,” said Nonnewaug College and Career Resource Center counselor Kathy Green. “A student could be questioned about their outcomes or even have an acceptance revoked based on finishing too poorly. Students create habits for themselves.”
