Sophia Yeskulsky | Head Editor
May 22, 2025
As graduation looms and AP and IB exams wrap up, many seniors at San Clemente High School are mentally clocking out, even if they are still physically showing up for class. However, in many cases, in the last few weeks of the year, students are not showing up at all.
In a small survey of SCHS seniors conducted during the week of May 12, over 85% of respondents said their teachers have stopped actively teaching, with 71% admitting that they feel like classes are pointless to attend. This data reflects a widespread shift in classroom energy: a slow, collective unraveling of academic focus as the year winds down.
“I’ve missed 11 out of 14 days,” admitted senior Sarah Ellis. “There’s just no point anymore. We’re watching movies, doing busy work… it’s a waste of time.” She’s not alone, as nearly half of the surveyed seniors reported missing at least 4 full school days in the past two weeks, citing reasons like burnout, lack of motivation, and, of course, classic cases of “senioritis.”
From watching movies and “getting Starbucks” in class, to wandering off-campus or skipping school altogether, many seniors are choosing to spend their final weeks doing anything but learning. “In [a certain teacher’s] class we’re just watching movies and getting Starbucks,” said Madi Riggs. “I have IB tests and skip the whole day or just don’t see the point.”
Even those still showing up admit the academic rigor has dropped off sharply. “We’re just sitting around,” said Karly Coury. “There’s nothing to do.” Another student, Cassidy Nijst, shared that they’ve been working on the same “final project” for weeks and would rather be “at the beach instead.”
Meanwhile, 43% of students say they’ve watched movies or TV shows in almost all their classes over the past two weeks. One student noted that a teacher “just sits on their computer and zones out,” while others mentioned doing “small assignments” or “busy work” with no real purpose.
Despite the overwhelming burnout, a few seniors have found small pockets of meaning or fun. Writing letters to their future selves, completing projects, or making food in class are some of the activities that have brought a flicker of energy back into the classroom. “I did a project about cults,” said Cassidy.
Yet the larger issue remains: the final stretch of senior year lacks purpose for many students. The AP grind is over, college decisions are in, and motivation has plummeted. The combination of “senioritis,” unstructured class time, and teacher fatigue has left students feeling like their last days of high school are more about killing time than creating closure.
For some, the solution might be giving students more autonomy or meaningful work they care about. For others, it might just be accepting the inevitable slide and enjoying the calm before graduation.
One anonymous student put it best: “We’re done. School just hasn’t caught up yet.”
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