The news site of Verona High School

The Fairviewer

The news site of Verona High School

The Fairviewer

The news site of Verona High School

The Fairviewer

Making Use of Senioritis

Some seniors seem to be experiencing “senioritis” with varying symptoms ranging from not wanting to do homework, class work, or both, to not even wanting to be in school in general. While some of these symptoms have present themselves in the beginning of
the year, others hold out until after midterms. But by May, especially after the completion of AP exam, it is certain that every senior will be suffering from “senioritis” and wondering what more fulfilling things they could be doing outside the classroom.

“Senior Option” as it is referred to at many other schools, responds to the notion that seniors can engage in some type of project outside of the classroom at the end of the year instead of wasting their time, their classmates’ time, and the teachers’ time.  Many VHS seniors seem open to the idea, used in such schools as MKA and Montclair High School, to enrich their senior year by taking the option to either intern or do service projects instead of going to classes.

At MKA students have to have their internships or service projects lined up far in advance to ensure that they are legitimate plans and the students will be doing something beneficial.  Whether they are volunteering in schools, interning at businesses, or helping the environment, these students are getting credits for experiences other than going to class.

“I’m all for it,” says MKA senior Kelly Wallace, “By May everyone has heard from their colleges and knows where they’re going to school so there’s no motivation to keep up with your school work,” she claims.  This further elaborates on the notion that “senioritis” is not only found in VHS, but other schools as well.

“It gives us a chance to explore our options career-wise, since we can do an internship, to make contacts and connections that could be helpful to us later on,” the MKA senior says.

According to their website, the “12th Grade Career Internship Program” at Montclair High School has the goal of being a worthwhile and purposeful  experience leading (students) toward a future career.”  Two weeks prior to the start of their senior option, students must have their plans settled with official documentation.  They do whatever they planned on for a few weeks, and by the end, there is a final presentation of their work for validity.

“These  career  internships  are  designed  to  provide  the student  with  diversified  learning experiences that  bridge  the  gap  between  school  and employment  or  higher  education  and training,” claims Montclair High School’s website.  Examples of such
projects include career internships, service related to prior class work, technical courses, enrollment in college courses, or tutoring other students.  All projects have to last for at least 4 hours, 5 days a week.  Seniors have the ability to skip the entire fourth marking period of classes for this “senior option” program.

“Of course I would do it,” says senior Jake Facey when asked if he would be interested in participating in a “Senior Option” type of program.  Jake says such a program would supply “real world experience” from our “too sheltered lives.”  As a student interested in engineering, Jake would want to intern and learn the basics from an actual company that would leave him with an advantage when looking for a job later on in life.

“Beneficial,” is a word that was commonly brought up when asking VHS seniors about such an option.  Senior Lauren Smith agreed with many others in saying that she would want to do something pertaining to a job she’s interested in, which would be “beneficial” to her later on in the job process.

Instead of being a potential distraction in class, if given “Senior Option” seniors have the ability to use their time in a more productive fashion.  VHS seniors seem to be open to this idea, but until they are given the “senior option” there is no way to gauge seniors’ real thoughts on the issue.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All The Fairviewer Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.