When you think of terrible diseases, what comes to mind? Aids, herpes, cancer… Well a commonly misdiagnosed disease is ravaging the youth of our nation. Scientists call it senioritis. This disease can be commonly diagnosed as “laziness” or “boredom”, but it is fast becoming a serious problem. Scientists say that the ailment is commonly contracted in 12th grade high school students, but less severe cases have been found in 8th grade students.

Symptoms of senioritis in its early stages can cause fidgeting, constant checking of the time during the entire class period, inability to concentrate (severe daydreaming), and worst of all tardiness to class. These symptoms usually start in an infected victim from the months of February – April. Once the second week of April has passed, regardless of duration of sickness, much more severe symptoms set in. These extreme symptoms include, but are not limited to; ditching, extreme irritability, wandering of the school campus during class sessions, inability to write complete sentences, and acute depression.

Scientists say they are worried that they do not have a have a cure for this age old disease as April approaches. Every year families are shattered due to this dreaded syndrome. Researchers have compiled a list of things that cause senioritis. This list includes “acceptance to a desired college”, “friends”, “warm weather”, and most importantly “the inability to deal with the concept of high school any longer”. Statistics show that currently 35% of foothill seniors have been diagnosed with senioritis. However it is expected that by the end of April 2010 over 90% of foothill seniors will be part of this epidemic.

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