The beginning of spring semester brings with it a debilitating disease that effects hundreds of college juniors, sophomores, and freshmen every year: early onset senioritis, or EOS.
Often, spring semester brings lighter course loads to those approaching graduation, and much higher course loads to those who aren't. Many underclassmen will fall victim to EOS due to the care free nature of their older friends. They will be coerced into to late nights, heavy drinking, and neglecting assignments. The taste of freedom is all so close, but so far away for those suffering from EOS. Be careful, EOS is highly contagious due to the appealing care-free nature of the disease.
EOS symptoms
Early onset senioritis will present itself in a variety of ways. Be on the lookout for the following signs and symptoms to help diagnose your friends early.
Lack of motivation.
Inability to do homework before last minute.
Laziness.Apathy.
Excessive absences, especially early morning classes.
Unfinished homework.
Dropping in average scores.
Increased social life.
Going out on weeknights.
Dark circles under eyes.
Disinterest in school-related activities.
Short-term memory loss for due dates.
Longing to be graduating with older friends.
Use these signs and symptoms to identify and help those in your friend group suffering fro EOS.
Causes
Being the youngest in your friend group.
A heavy course load that makes the lighter course load of older friends seem even more appealing.
Boredom.
"The grass is always greener..." mentality.
Early onset burnout.
Fear of the future without older friend group.
Peer pressure.
Fear of missing out.
Mental breakdown of older friends caused by the reality of graduation.
Cure
Luckily, there is a cure for EOS, self control. Those who manage to pull themselves away from the tantalizing offerings that seniors display can conquer this horrible disease before it's too late.
Prevention
EOS can be detected and prevented before becoming terminal. Learn to identify the signs in yourself and other's before it's too late. If you detect signs of EOS in yourself learn to pull yourself away from social activities that will keep you from your school work, and start to plan ahead so that you'll be able to attend the future activities. You'll be amazed at what shutting your door and/or turning off your phone will do. Your friends will not resent you for staying in and finishing your paper, they've all been there. They understand.
