As the first part of the year comes to a close, the semester slump has hit hard. I have been struggling to maintain the same cycle that I have been used to for the last three years. With more loads of school work, more stressful shifts at work and still trying to find time to spend with my family, I have become very overwhelmed by the stress. But aren’t the holidays are supposed to be a happy time? Then why am I not in the Christmas mood?
For me growing up, Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. Being able to spend time with my loved ones and being able to see the joy on their faces when they open their gifts has always been the best part. But as I make my way through school, the holiday season has become somewhat stressful.
We are hit with more loads of homework then you could have thought possible. We are having to study for finals that could make or break your grade. And we are supposed to do all of this while we are trying to spend time with family and for some, go to work so we can buy those around you something they have been wanting. For me, this has become something I can’t seem to get this year.
I have always been the student that has been able to keep up with the homework, studying, family time and work, but this year I just don’t know how.
When everyone told me that senioritis was a real thing, I honestly didn’t believe them. I thought that it would never happen to me, but it has. I have been procrastinating everything. I have been late on six of my English assignments — which I know doesn’t sound bad to most people, but for me, it is. I have been making up excuses for why I don’t want to do an assignment and it is starting to become a habit.
I have been trying to wrap my head around why I have been feeling this way, then I finally figured it out: I have been putting so much pressure on myself to be the best student I could be, that I’m not giving myself time to breathe. I need to stop putting so much pressure on myself and just enjoy my last year of high school because it’s never going to happen again.
I have had some of the best times of my life in this place and I have made some amazing friendships. I have also been fortunate enough to be a part of a class that not only lets me use my voice to make a difference, but it also lets others’ voices be heard as well. We have grown together this year and I am proud of everything we have put out so far. I am extremely grateful to have them by my side for my final year of high school.