It’s senior year. Three years of grinding through homework, sports, and extracurriculars are coming to an end, and now it’s finally time to kick back and relax as we await graduation.

Right?

Okay, maybe not.

Join Wildcat Multimedia Editor Sahaana Mehta (‘25) and Editor-in-Chief Lauren Ko (‘25) as they discuss how senior year has them feeling overwhelmed as they learn to balance the the weight of college applications, FOMO, and academic burnout so close to the end of their high school journey.

Host: Sahaana Mehta

Guest: Lauren Ko

Producer: Sahaana Mehta

Transcription: Sahaana Mehta

Art: Claire Kim (’25)

Background Music: “Mellow Nights” by Capcut

Transcript

Sahaana (00:00):

Hey Wildcats. Welcome back to the second episode of the Brea Olinda Pawdcast!

My name is Sahaana Mehta, and our guest for today is someone who is a leader on campus, in the district, and in the county. She’s the captain of the Mock Trial team, producer of the annual TEDx Brea event, president of the National Honor Society, chair of the Orange County Red Cross Program, and a student board member of the Brea Olinda Unified School District. 

Lauren (00:26):

Hi Wildcats. My name is Lauren Ko, and I’m a senior as well as the Editor-in-Chief of the Wildcat. 

Sahaana (00:32):

Today, our topic is going to be something that hits pretty close to home for most of our fellow seniors: senioritis, overachievers syndrome, and all of the overwhelming stress that comes with college apps. If you’re feeling the weight of it all during the semester, you should stick around. We’re about to break down the challenges and offer some tips to get through this hectic time. 

If you’re a senior or you have friends who are seniors, you’ve probably heard this term thrown around, but senioritis is basically that burnout that hits right before the end of high school. When you’ve made it through three years and now being so close to the finish line, you kind of find yourself having trouble finding motivation to keep going. 

Lauren (01:17):

Exactly. And when I look back on my entire high school experience, I think of freshman year as the discovery period where I really was just ambitious. I remember Club Rush. I threw myself into every possible opportunity and then found what I really loved, and then was able to stick with that for sophomore and junior year, continuously developing this ambition and this excitement as more opportunities arose. And now it’s senior year. It’s like the culmination point, right? It should be awesome, but why isn’t it? Why is it that we’re under this stress that we just can’t escape? And why does it feel so much harder than the rest of the years when it’s senior year? 

Sahaana (01:49):

I know, and you hear so many good things about senior year, like, oh, it’s the end, it’s the year that you get to enjoy everything, but honestly, I feel like my motivation is just down. I don’t want to do my assignments. I’m looking at these tests and I’m like, do I really need to get an A plus on this? And then even for the events, the football games and stuff, I’m just like, I’m too tired to go. I don’t want to go 

Lauren (02:12):

Exactly! When everything’s supposed to matter the most, the grades should be the most important right now, because they’re the last ones that the colleges are going to see. 

Sahaana (02:18):

This is pressure at its peak. 

Lauren (02:21):

And the events are supposed to be more fun, like the football games, the rallies and all that. I haven’t gone to a single one. The dance, I skipped Homecoming. 

Sahaana (02:28):

Even Homecoming! When I was getting ready for homecoming, I was like, I don’t really know if I want to go right now. I would rather stay home. 

Lauren (02:34):

Everything that’s supposed to be enjoyable right now. You’re just numb because there’s so much other stuff to be worrying about.

Sahaana (02:41):

Exactly. And it’s kind of interesting, but senioritis can actually be traced back to the psychological finding called “goal disengagement” And what it is, is you start to lose interest in tasks leading up to something major just because you can see the finish line.

Lauren (02:56):

That makes so much sense. And I really do think so, because in a month from now, quite literally a month, our applications for early decision schools are due actually under a month, half a month. And then in two months-ish, we already know where our fate is. You either know that you got into college, yay, or you have another a month or four months to look forward to

Sahaana (03:18):

I know, and I think while some seniors are kind of struggling with this senioritis type of thing and lack of motivation and just that overall feeling of giving up, I think there’s also a few seniors on the exact opposite end of the spectrum, and they’re sort of juggling with the pressures of “overachiever syndrome.” And just that desire to maintain the perfect record, its still there for some people. 

Lauren (03:41):

But it’s just so much all at once. Because I know not that school is difficult per se. I mean it is, but I think the difficulty in that is the balance where you have to dedicate time to work on your college applications. I do. And you also have to, since you’re a senior, you probably have leadership positions or you’re really committed to your clubs investing so much time in that, but then you also kind of have this expectation of having fun in senior year and you get FOMO if you don’t.

Sahaana (04:08):

Exactly. And as far as overachiever syndrome, I feel like there’s this crazy high expectation that not only what other people have for you, because if you’ve always been someone who’s constantly getting good grades and constantly just overachieving in all the aspects, extracurriculars in your academics, in whatever it is, if you’re constantly overachieving in all of those things, there’s this expectation that you continue to do so. And aside from other people’s expectation, I feel like it becomes your own expectation from yourself. You want to keep doing that. That is what you expect from yourself. And when you don’t get to fulfill that expectation that you have for yourself, it’s the most painful crushing feeling of defeat.

Lauren (04:56):

Exactly. I think I’ve been, this sounds cocky, but I’ve been proud of the amount of hard work that I put in these past years. And my work ethic I remember in sophomore and junior was something that I currently admire because I wish I could just have that back, but I just don’t have it anymore in me.

Sahaana (05:11):

I know, and I see this every day when I’m studying for my ACT or I’m doing my college apps. After 30 minutes of doing it, I’m just like, Okay, I’m done. Why isn’t the application finished? 

Lauren (05:21):

I knocked out. Yesterday, I spent 30 minutes tweaking my personal statement, which I haven’t even finished half of, and then I knocked out, and then I woke up this morning and major regret. I wanted to skip school, but I’ve already done that too many times, and I really can’t sacrifice much more. 

Sahaana (05:34):

I don’t know, it’s scary to let yourself down, but that motivation is just gone. So I don’t know what to do

Lauren (05:41):

And oh my gosh, on the topic of letting yourself down, I’m letting not just myself down, which already hurts so much, but also my parents, and this is different for everyone I know because I know some parents from the get go are already strict and really enforcing, mine have never been like this ever. They used to be so hands-off, laissez faire, and I was just able to work hard for myself, and my motivation came from, it was intrinsically developed, but now they’re on my butt about everything too. And I think that additional pressure, even though it’s showing that they care about my future, it’s just making me worry about it instead of be excited and motivated to do my stuff.

Sahaana (06:22):

I know, and I feel like one of the biggest reasons that I just can’t move forward is, I’m aiming for perfection in everything that I do, and I kind of have this idea in my mind that if it can’t be perfect, it just shouldn’t be at all. If I can’t make it the very best that it can possibly be, then there’s just no point doing it.

I feel like that prevents me from doing it. And analysis paralysis, you look at the amount of stuff that you have to do and you just can’t do any of it because there’s so much. But I guess eventually you come to realize that perfectionism is not a sustainable practice and you can’t just keep pushing things aside because you can’t do them to the very best. I think giving your best effort and putting in as much work as you can, I think sometimes that has to be enough.

Lauren (07:21):

I think the term “senioritis” is really broadly encompassing because it comes from people who just don’t really care anymore. That’s one form. But then I think the form that we’re experiencing is kind of just merging together all these different sorts of symptoms. So the perfectional that you just described, the overachieving inner voice in us, and it’s like overachieving, senioritis. Yeah, overachieving perfection. Wannabe senioritis. It’s not a rare form, but I’m saying that we’re suffering. We’re suffering the worst of it.

Sahaana (07:58):

And honestly, there’s only so much time in every day, and when you’re constantly pushing yourself to achieve everything at the highest level, you’re doing your sports, you’re doing your academics, you’re doing your extracurriculars, clubs, whatever, it just gets kind of stressful. And at some point, something is going to give, because when everything is so pressurizing, something eventually is just going to fall apart. And I think if you’re not careful that something is going to end up being your mental health.

Lauren (08:31):

Yeah, I think we’re worried we don’t want to do this anymore because we’re worried. But does rejection scare you? Because for me, it sure does, and I think that’s also adding onto to it.

Sahaana (08:40):

So rejection is also…I feel like another reason that it’s hard to start on things because it’s just like, okay, what if I put in this much effort and then nothing comes out of it?

Lauren (08:52):

And so it’s like the same thing: If it’s not perfect, you don’t want to do it. If it would get me rejected, why would I try?

Sahaana (08:58):

And I think once that thought just enters your head, everything that used to make you happy turns into a chore. It’s work now. It’s not fun. Exactly. I think also there’s the pressure of having to choose a career path that kind of determines the course of the rest of your life. And you’re doing this at the age of 17 or 18 and it’s kind of insane. It’s a little stressful.

Lauren (09:18):

It’s really daunting because what I remember and will remember for it from the age of 17 and 18 is the amount of stress that it caused, I know and all the stress that was surrounding it, even if it wasn’t a direct source, I guess just everything that we had to focus on.

Sahaana (09:30):

And I think when you think about it, when you zoom out and think about it from a broader perspective when you’re 17 or 18, these are kind of the high parts of your teenage years. You are sort of, obviously it doesn’t apply to everyone. Some people have really matured in the past few years, but these are the most, I guess arguably the most immature years of your life. And you’re expected to make the decisions that will literally determine the course of the rest of your life. And if we’re talking about majors and stuff, obviously you can change your major after you get in, but sometimes choosing your major is what determines the fate of you getting in.

Lauren (10:07):

Exactly. And if you change your major midway, not to say that that’s going to be the end of the world, but you’ll be pretty behind. Theres kids who worked on this since the start of high school or even before that

Sahaana (10:19):

Exactly. For those people who have never changed their goals, they’ve been consistent throughout and they’re not experiencing this senioritis at the end, they’re like, oh yeah, I have this goal and I’m going to achieve it.

Lauren (10:27):

I know if we’re speaking on a personal scale, you want to go into the medical field, which in and of itself is a major commitment. 

Sahaana:

So is law.

Sahaana (10:40):

I feel like law and medicine are those two fields, which is like you look at it and you’re like, you feel this passion towards this subject, but when you’re looking at the amount of schooling, it’s like, oh, I’m going to be in school forever.

Lauren (10:52):

It’s all or nothing. It’s you either put it all, dedicate all those extra years to learning and then get that degree. Exactly. Or you don’t just, you can’t half be in it and half out. I guess

Lauren (11:03):

I guess you can drop out of those schools, but if you do then, what’s left for you? 

Sahaana (11:04):

Exactly. What is your second option? What is your backup plan? You don’t really have one. 

I think that the hardest part about college apps and all of this stress is definitely the fomo. When you see so many people enjoying every bit of their senior year without the same academic pressure, I just feel so jealous. 

And some of these people, they’re enjoying it because they finished their college apps, and other people have career choices that don’t require them to go to college.

Lauren (11:34):

And that’s perfectly fine and good for them. I wish I had that same level of relaxation, but I know that’s going to come from me at a later time, which is why I guess we have to choose to work hard, and this is why we need to learn to cope with these feelings and all of the overwhelming emotions that we’re experiencing. 

Sahaana (11:52):

Exactly, and I guess this is just a personal preference, but I want to be surrounded by people who have the same or even bigger expectations than me because then I feel encouraged to do more. And I think people are a lot more influenced by their surroundings than they think, and it really, really applies to this situation.

Lauren (12:08):

I think that’s why, especially given how diverse a high school will inevitably be, like we just discussed, there’s people with all different types of interests and plans. It’s really important that to be able to cope, you find your circle of people and surround yourself, like you said, with the people that will mutually inspire each other, share the same goals, and make sure that you’re on your best behavior and your best motivation at all times

Sahaana (12:34):

Exactly. And that being said, I guess we could also just say that this is another symptom of that perfectionist idea because we’re waiting for that perfect environment, but I think eventually you have to realize that if you just keep waiting around for that perfect time, in that perfect environment, those perfect people, you’re never going to make it. Sometimes you just have to put your head down and do the work.

Lauren (12:56):

And I think that’s kind of been the motto that I’ve lived by. I feel like for the past three years you probably did as well. 

Sahaana (13:03):

Yeah, I think another thing that I’ve experienced, social media is probably a really big part of the problem, and I don’t like to admit that because I love my Instagram, but it always makes you feel like there’s something you’re missing out on, whether it’s a football game or the in and out that follows the school dances, all the senior events, it’s never ending. So I think social media definitely has a role in playing that FOMO and making it seem way out of proportion.

Lauren (13:33):

I think so too, because even when I’m home alone doing my work and missing out on those events, it’s always social media. That’s the culprit for feeding into that FOMO. Like, Oh, I’ll get distracted. That’s inevitable for me, and I’ll go on my phone. That’s what I do when I’m distracted, and then I’ll see all these people posting about their good times, and if I’m wasting time doing that anyway, why didn’t I just go out, you know? It’s kind of the mindset that I have.

But I think it’s just growing pains. This is stuff that we’ll always experience. Everyone will have to face it at some point in their lives, and eventually just being able to be dependent on yourself and find security in yourself

Sahaana (14:08):

That motivation has to be intrinsic. It shouldn’t be, “Oh, someone will give me something if I do this or I will achieve something.” It should come from inside. I’m doing this because I want to do it.

Lauren (14:19):

And I think that’s a skill that we’re really learning throughout all of this struggle, which is why, I guess, in a sense, thank you senioritis for teaching me such important life lessons. I never thought I would thank you, but here we are.

Sahaana (14:30):

Here we are. So I feel like we just ranted for eight minutes and it was very beneficial, and this was my therapy session, but let’s talk about what we can actually do about it. What are your coping mechanisms?

Lauren (14:43):

Well, we kind of touched on it honestly. Even if you’re having a hard time, just do it. Just put your head down, get to work. Complaining will only make this process go on longer. Just get it done, because the feeling, if you ever work out and then at the end of your workout you’re feeling like you’re on top of the world, that’s what you kind of get from this academic incline as well. Anyway, so just even if it’s hard, keep pushing and the results will be so immeasurably prideful 

Sahaana (15:13):

Less coping, more doing,

Lauren (15:15):

Yeah, less coping, more doing and more being proud of yourself once it’s over.

Sahaana (15:18):

I think there’s a 3, 2, 1 method, and my sister told me about this once, but she is like, “Oh, when I have to do something that I don’t want to do, I just look at the thing, take a deep breath. Then I go 3, 2, 1, and I get up and do it.” 

And I take a lot of inspiration from her for that, because I definitely cannot do that. I will literally just sit there and think about it. But I think something that does help me kind of cope with the stress and all the pressure is forgetting about the end goal and more focusing on what’s in front of me. 

I should stop thinking about the fact that these college applications are going to be the thing that gets me into college and they determine the course of my life. Instead, I should sit there and think about my AP physics assignment that is due tomorrow that I have not done because I’ve been staring at it for 35 minutes.

Lauren (16:05):

So don’t reflect on the struggle. Embrace it and gain the benefits of it after. I think even if it’s hard right now, also, just thinking about it in an optimistic life with an optimistic light will be another piece of advice from me. I think this personal statement, drafting supplemental essay writing is more about learning about yourself in the end anyway. Right? Because colleges are trying to get information about who you are, so take it as an opportunity to just get to know who you are and be proud of it instead of sulking in the fact that you hate yourself for causing so much stress on your own mental state, but it’ll all be worth it. I keep mentioning, and this learning process is something that you just don’t get unless you’re struggling. 

Sahaana (16:49):

And I think just one last thing is probably limiting social media time. I have a timer on my Instagram, and I kind of bypass it every single day. I should stop doing that because I feel like it just magnifies all the stress and all the things that you see on Instagram are just the pristine parts of people’s lives. They’re all perfect and there’s no struggle. So putting some distance there definitely helps, but I think it’s also important to acknowledge that everyone’s going through their own struggles and not everyone is going through something that’s academic. People have struggles in all different types of forms and stuff, so I think it’s also important to just keep that in mind.

Lauren (17:32):

You’re not in it alone, whether that be the same stress stressors, like the same sources of it, or just the feelings that you’re experiencing from it. Everyone’s going to go through some hardships at this time of our life, and I think it’s just the fact that we’re all learning to cope. We’re all learning to grow. That makes this all so much more valuable.

Sahaana (17:52):

And at the end of the day, senior year is just a rollercoaster. There’s a lot of highs and lows, and I think that’s okay. It’s normal to feel burnt out or you’re missing out on things, but it’s just one chapter of your life, and I think it’s so, so important to enjoy it.

Lauren (18:05):

Yeah, whatever that looks like for you, just make sure that you’re staying optimistic and really getting the best out of your experience.

Sahaana (18:12):

Thanks for tuning in Wildcats. See you soon, on the next episode of the Pawdcast