A senior's last semester is packed with last minute concerns - piled-up projects to finish, graduation ceremony preparations and friendships to solidify before moving on to whatever the next big step may be. But with spring in full swing and all of these tensions mounting, blowing things off can be a possible answer for some.
Senioritis is the infectious phenomenon that can make the last days of undergraduate studies a heavy burden, but some are taking precautions not to catch the disease.
Kristen Oates, a senior English major, said taking easier classes has made her last semester less stressful.
"I only go to two actual classes, so it's really not that much work," said Oates.
Expecting her last semester to be filled with an overwhelming urge to relax, Oates planned ahead to make her last semester an easy one.
"You don't feel like doing anything," said Oates. "You have to enjoy your last semester."
Yet many UB students seem competent at dealing with the stress involved with graduation; they are prepared for these fleeting last days without forgetting about their responsibilities.
"I'm ready to be done, but I'm not letting myself get caught," said Marji Hendrickson, a senior social science major.
Hendrickson said she has noticed more people going out, but that partying hard is not a viable option for her.
"I can't slack off," said Hendrickson. "Besides (school work), I'm applying for graduate school and I'm an RA, so I'm applying for a position as an assistant hall director."
Amy Drake, a senior English major, had similar experiences avoiding senioritis. With two 10-page papers, a seven-page paper, a final portfolio and four exams to study for, Drake has her work cut out for her.
"I guess I'm too busy to have senioritis," said Drake.
She has been rigorous in keeping up homework and going to classes in her last semester, but said she did not have a choice.
"I had (senioritis) at the beginning of the semester, but I realized if I skipped even one class I would fall behind," said Drake.
Lynn Chan, a senior computer science major, said she has found her last semester fairly manageable.
"I was looking at my calendar the other day and there's only two or three weeks left, but this just doesn't really effect me," said Chan.
Observing an increasing number of empty seats in her Bible as Literature class, English professor Diane Christian encouraged students who attended to try to stay focused during the home stretch.
"Don't give up the ship here, hang on, and get through these texts," said Christian.
But the reality is there are many in casualties in the internal war to stay focused until the very end, as shown by the empty seats.
Christian said she does not like when her students fail to show up, but does not seem surprised by the sudden drop in attendance. She believes that when students find themselves under so much pressure, the urge to quit being faithful to deadlines and coming to class can become overwhelming. Quitting altogether can be an easy, but risky, way out.
"I try to ignore it, but I don't want to indulge it," said Christian. "I never underestimate spring."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
