Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Great Disease

It has officially begun. I know every year that it is coming but still, the very thought, makes me cringe. You all know what I am talking about because you all have felt it. It begins when you forget a simple homework assignment and (gasp) it doesn't bother you a bit. You know the symptoms are progressing when you sit through the day in a complete daze and have no idea what you did or, even worse, what you were supposed to learn. The illness takes full effect when the alarm goes off but you don't get out of bed.

You all know what I am talking about...Schoolitis.

Yes, I have my own name for this sickness - Schoolitis. It is no longer Senioritis because the effects have spread to the younger grades at an alarming rate, prompting the creation of a new name. The disease seems to begin earlier and earlier every year. Students everywhere are confusing their job of getting an education with the task of catching up on daytime television. I am worried.

So, brave readers, don't fall prey to the effects of Schoolitis. Fight it with all of your might! Get to school on time. Do all of your homework. Study for your tests and quizzes. You will be rewarded for your perseverance during these "toughest" of times...

41 comments:

qtgabi21 said...

I very much agree with you Mrs.S, a great amount of students are barely going to class or being absent. I was one of those students but now I am truly trying hard, and its really scary how were taking upon our future this way. we most definitely need to get our butts up and do something important for our lives I agree that hard work will pay off at the end. Sometimes its just easier to say then do, being that some are really use to it. We are the future and if were not educated and well known to subjects and important things then will bring our country down little by little. Our nation and economy is bad and were going threw difficulties I think everyone need to focus and make smarter choices including myself.

CAR ZONE said...

Yes i agree now is the time everyone gets lazy including me and its bad but its unfightable unless you have someone over you watching every move now when i get home i just throw my bag and go to my friends house i don't even bother until like 9 at night because then your like omg i forgot to do my home work but yes your wright .

C Robinson 32 said...

Well, I am going to have to say that in my experience, I have learned that there are two types of students: lazy students and the opposite type with time management issues. I am the latter. "Schoolitis" is harder than it looks because adults are of the perception that a student's only responsibility is to show up for school. This could not be less true. Athletics, community service, academics, extra-curricular activities, and housework are more of an accurate bill of fare for an ambitious high school student. I do believe that high school is the hardest time of life (LOL sounds so funny to you probably). In all seriousness, it does determine your college and by extension, career, and by extension, income. I rest my case.

Mary said...

Haha I'm lucky enough to say I don't fall into this category. I can name a few people that do though. It's like an inevitable plague and you're right, now it's spread to the younger students. I'm not going to be a rebel and "blame the system" but...I blame the system :) I'm definitely not saying you're one of them (because you're not), but a lot of teachers have trouble keeping their students motivated and I think that's the reason students lose their love of learning.

adyyy! said...

I also agree, I am a very lazy student and i honestly wish i wasn't and i try to change my habits but i've given up. I hate coming to school. Last semester i had a really easy schedule so i never went a full week to school. With the new semester i haven't really missed many days. I have to be in school mainly for my first three periods. This school year has gone by pretty fast though, im just dreading the next few months. I can't wait for it to be summer again.

itsisakidd said...

Well, I agree, everyone in the school-living world has "schoolitis", but it usually just takes time into finding yourself and do what you want to do in life whether or not you want to be a successful and well-educated student.

RCK'r'HRD(Jose E.) said...

Haha! So true! It happened to me the first semester of this year. It's a good thing I woke up right on time to save my grades and my GPA from falling to an abyss. It's weird because I was feeling exaclty as you described a couple of months ago, and then I signed up for the schools water polo team second semester, and everything changed for me. I started to handle school with more care as my responsibility increased, especially since I got home every day from practice around 6, and i had to be careful with managing my time. Yes my coach might be protrayed to you as abusive for keeping us that late, but I think owe him part of the credit for teaching me responsability and determination at a time when I needed it the most. All of us should always keep watch since everyone can be a victim to this horrific disease!

Dan said...

I have to totally agree with you. Many kids are "skipping" class beginning in 9th grade. I don't think it should be called senioritis. Kids these days don't get that if you mess up in school and do bad that you won't have the future you always dreamed of. Most kids don't realize it until it is too late to try and make a comeback.

Tadeu said...

Believe it or not, I am NOT afflicted by this disease this time of the year. Why haven't you seen me in 2 days? Sadly, every once in a while there's a lot of work that i have to do (due to my line of work) that requires me to leave school early, couple that with my lack of car there is nothing i can do but leave school (excused of course). But I do see this every day in school.

GATORS217 said...

I completely understand your point. Once you begin skipping class and getting used to not attending school, it becomes addictive. Like when you wake up Monday morning after a weekend of late nights and waking up late, it's the hardest thing in the world to have to get out of bed. Luckily, my dad's pretty tough about skipping school, he HATES when I do it, so he usually keeps me in check. Lately, I've gotten into the habit of going to school all day everyday and I like it better this way. I've never had such good grades, and my dad's actually really proud of me. He lets me do more and gives me more money as a reward. Aside from the obvious rewards, the feeling of being proud of yourself is the greatest reward you can receive. Too bad I didn't know that until the last semester of my senior year, but I wish there was a way for future students to know that.

One Gray Wolf said...

I would LOVE to overcome Schoolitis. And I'm trying my hardest! It's just... Most people seem to be getting lazier and lazier, and that's probably due to all the new things people are coming up with these days. iPods, video games, computer appliances--all these (and more) are affecting how we as students portray ourselves in a school environment.

Kids don't want to have to wake up early, they don't want to have to drag through seven hours of school, they don't want to do "all that work..." If technology wasn't such a huge part of everybody's life, things would probably go by a whole lot better for everybody, ha ha.

Alan Smith said...

I wholeheartedly agree with you on this. We find it hard as students to do this nearly every day: get up early, lag from one class to the next, and take tests. Not to mention we have tests in our classes at least once our twice in each class during the week. What we fail to realize is that our teachers put in effort in their job, and so should we. If we don't fight "schoolitis" it will follow us well into out adult lives. It will prevent us from performing well in college or in the workplace. It is important that we don't let this happen to us, especially considering what is happening in our country right now.

Josh Orlan said...

Times are indeed getting "tough" in school, and I plan on persevering. What I am curious about is this reward which you speak of. Is the reward knowledge, or is it something feasible. Schooling is coming to the point where knowledge is no longer a reward. Everything is so competitive and the only rewards that we enjoy are ones we can touch or see on pinnacle.

Alicia said...

It has been happening to me lately. I don't wake up on time anymore for school. ever! Or at least I don't wake up at a comfortable time for me to get dressed calmly. Ever since 2nd semester started I've been out of it and lazy. I even forget I have homework at times and relish in the thought that I can do nothing all day. Although the next day at school it hits me hard that I had homework due. Darn Schoolitis!

Kevin said...

I was always glad I was never like that. Ever since I was pretty much born my parents especially my mom pushed me and did everything she could to focus on school and do well. After years of that my mind state became like that, I know I don't put school above my life, but it's important to me and I know it’s definitely what you need to survive almost. Seeing it from my perspective and seeing the kids like this just makes me feel bad especially for the ones who aren't really like that, but get caught up in everything. I naturally care and want to do well, just hope people realize what they need to do.

Gian Trotta said...

Actually I've always been extremely lazy. But I'm not catching up on missed TV shows I just loose track of time reading. Lately I've been working extremely hard because when I tell myself "I'm doing bad at school because I'm lazy" I think it's a stupid excuse compared to "I don't have my priorities straight, and I'd rather read a book than do math equations." It's tough to change your ways out of nowhere to do better in school but then again we shouldn't have to change our ways in the first place. We should work hard from the beginning to the end of the school year but I'm preaching to no one that's going to listen. All I know is that I've been diagnosed with "Schoolitis" since I was a freshman but I want to let all of you know, there is hope out there, just put down the remote and do your homework.

Sebastian B said...

Yea Mrs. S, I know what you are talking about. I have this problem every year, I always say "Ok this is the year I wont slack or procrastinate."... Never happens. It's easy but a lot of students don't even try. After the first month or two students start slacking. Has been happening to me but I'm fighting it.

john_garciap2 said...

yeah that is true that does happen to me sometimes. And it is true it is like a disease. I remember when i had like 3 projects due and I did the night before. I was so tired and stressed out because I can't believe that I waited that long and all you can think about is how good it should so you can get a good grade.

Wilmer A. said...

Yes the great disease is infecting everyone know. Those who resist the disease make it to the end and improve their odds of succeeding drastically, but those who let the disease take over them either fail on purpose or drop out, and can look forward to living with their parents for quite some time. Most people think that young people live stress free lives and worry about nothing, but thats certainly not true because some students have a harder time than most adults.

Alyssa44 said...

I can’t believe you actually were able to put a name to my tragic disease! I’ve taken every medication in the book to rid myself of this infectious virus, but I can’t seem to shake it. It started (roughly) the very first day I stepped onto this lovely campus. I remember being such a hard worker in Middle school, but then I had a revelation. I noticed how colleges never looked at middle school grade. So without an incentive to do well, I simply gave up on my hard working ways. And when I slipped into my lazy routine of just getting by, the infection began to spread. It wasn’t a missing assignment, it was a lowered grade. The disease took over my body. I turned green and yellow and people started to avoid staring too hard at my now warped face. A large “L” was finding a spot on my forehead and sometimes I had the appearance of a blueberry. OK, maybe it wasn’t that bad, but it still sucks!

Faustino Conde said...

I must surely agree with you Mrs. Stoklosa i think now I understand why you make your students fear you and your tardy policy so much, I believe that most teens are losing interest in what is beneficial for them in the future and they rather concentrate on the present which for a teen it only means two things social life and television programing not only that but add sleeping past school hours in there too. I feel that a wake up call (No Pun intended)is in order.

Anonymous said...

I see what you're talking about. I'm having that very problem. It's so hard to wake up in the mornings. Even with breakfast in the morning i find myself falling asleep in my first hour. I'm so motivated in the beginning because everythings easier but when things start getting challenging i slack off. I'm definately going to work on that.

Tucci said...

The reason I think is because students see there older siblings skipping school and they say I want to be like them there cool. Also cause students are lazy! I say it all the time. I'm lazy sometimes, I know it and I except it. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let it control me. So I made the decision in my head that I am going to stop being lazy or else it will catch up to me and bite me in the ass.

Anonymous said...

I think students just don't wanna go to school and take advantage on being ''sick''.

Eddie_Fred said...

All I have to say is WOW. The text above these comments is so true because I can address all of this information to myself. I can say, I have SCHOOLITIS. Not senioritis, schoolitis. Its quite humorious, actually how lathergic we students have become. This has opened my eyes to actually try my best and all. That this should open all of our eyes to achieve our goals in life. I dont know about those other kids out there but Im not staying home with mommy and daddy to hold my hand through the ride. They're old enough to hold responsible of our only responsibilities. Im extremely frightened, in the future our generation will be in control of the country, and we're all going down hill. So I suggest to all those slackers out there (including myself :D), to start hitting into them books and pull ourself together. This is our future, but a board game.

sportiebrat said...

I TOTALY AGREE WITH YOU. I FELL THE SCHOOLICS CATHING ON. THE ONE THING I PROMISED MY SELF WAS NOT TO BECOME LAZY DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL, AND LOOK WHAT I HAVE BECAME. I NEED TO STRAIGHTEN UP! I WILL STUDY HARDER, THINK FASTER, AND DO ANYTHING TO GET ME BACK WHERE I STARTED IN NINETH GRADE.

David Deckers said...

I do not agree with you!

I do agree that more skipping is taking place, and missed assignments, and all that is going on.

But saying its the students fault for that?

wrong. its the parents fault.if parents want their kid to suceed. they must push them and encourage them to keep going and get good grades.

Jeremiah Nelson said...

Haha yeah I know what you mean Mrs. S That is exactly what happened to me last semester. : ( It really sucked because I wound up with a C in spanish 1! But anyway this year I'm a lot more determined to get all my work done and maybe even some homework here and there.=D

TheOne128 said...

I dont like like to admit it but yes I get schoolitis since the day after the first day of school. I try not to get sucked into the slaker mind set but its hard. Especially when you have other things going on like boyfriends new sisters or sports. Its hard to balance school and life. Thank god i have gotten better though. If not i would not be prepared for collage.

Desiree729 said...

Guilty!
I loathe that I have succumbed to such a sick habit, but I have. And more than once in a school year. I have to discipline myself a lot and it helps to look long-term into the future. Where am I going? Where will this get me?
When my answers range from good grades to an excellent University, I smile and keep on persevering for the prize.

Heyman's Red Carpet said...

It's very true that choolitis is taking over the world! I think it not only involves coming to school on time and doing work, but also the fact that high school kids are very much involved in their social life. Nothing is wrong with having a social life because you do learn valuable life lessons from it, but if it's affecting your school work that's where it becomes a problem. People become so invovled in drama that doesn't even involve them! I think that if everyone worried about themselves instead of their friends the situation would be much better. It's much easier said then done. You just have to have the right balance and attitude then anythings possible.

Sugapiesyd said...

i agree Ms.Stoklosa, ive never skipped a class in my life i know people who are uncaring and dont give wether they pass or fail. I screwed up my ninth grade year so i am trying my best truly. I dont think i will get schoolitis anytime soon.

frenchykevin23 said...

Well I do agree with this because it’s true for 99% of the kids at this school. But I think it’s more of human nature to not want to do things that we don’t desire. But we can fight it and hopefully learn something. I have personally experienced this disease but I have learned to get through it because I want an education. I cant believe im saying this but I do occasionally like to learn. . . oh my god that’s crazy. But I don’t think that you need to worry about kids coming to your class late because you have instilled fear in us to not do that, I know that that’s my biggest fear. But I do study and I think it is important to get a good education to get ahead in life. This disease is just a phase anyways, everyone gets over it, especially at college.

Tommy23 said...

I completly agree with you, schoolitis is taking full efect on my poor little body. I don't feel like doing homework, so i simply don't. Although I am coping with it a lot better this year. I have been paying more attention, and getting more of my assignments completed. Last year i didn't get very good grades because of schoolitis. I am going to contiue to try hard in school.

Carli Immerman said...

Mrs. Stoklosa, I really don't like to be absent from school. I mean as much as I'd like to sleep later, I feel guilty when I just skip a day of school. My mom has told me over and over that it's ok once in a while to miss a day. But my internal clock always wakes me up at 6 and my guilt will not allow me to go back to sleep. School to me is very important. I don't take for granted free education. It is the most valuable thing in my life. When I don't feel like getting up in the morning I just ask myself if I have anything better to do? If I don't go to school then what will I do with myself all day? The only job I have now is to be at school. I am probably the only person in the world who thinks like this but I think in the end my thoughts will pay off!!!

Tiffany said...

It's true, the numbers of diagnosed 'schoolitis' cases are increasing rapidly its almost difficult to keep up with! But I believe schoolitis can also be caught if a student is going through difficult times at home or also depression, not just the usual laziness. I must be honest and say I feel like I have caught a wiff of it but I am extremely determined to get back on track and even better then before.

Aubrey Stolzenberg said...

The term Senioristis no longer applies because students as young as 9th grade are skipping and slacking in school. Last semester was really bad, I never skipped school, but I slacked in class. I didn't try at all and my grades were horrible. This semester I am trying a lot harder, but there are still those weeks when I just give up on school and spend the entire week counting down to the weekend.

aircupcakes10 said...

Unfortunately I think i have an ongoing battle with "schoolitits." I always forget test dates, deadlines, etc. My mom tells me I should write them down, but what's the point in writing it down if I'm not going to look at it? I hate getting up for school too. My mom always wakes me up slightly and then i find myself slowly falling back asleep. That's usually when i look at my phone and see that my bus is probably already outside. I don't think they will ever find a cure for "schoolitis" well unless they make more teachers like you!

Kaley! said...

I agree, everyone, even myself is getting lazy now that the school year is almost over. I come home and I just want to sleep. But I do all my homework and I come to school everyday because I know I still have responsibilities. I would say I'm only partially effected by schoolitis, but I know a lot of students caught the full illness.

Amelia said...

Yes, i agree. Many people about this time of the school year tend to get lazy. It is the second semester of the school year and everyone just wants to lay back and get ready for the school year to end. I admit that in the past years i have been lazy mostly throughout the second semester of the school year. I get lazier and just want to sleep. But I have to get an education and I have to do good in school, therefore i must push myself for excellence.

thedjsgirl said...

I agree Lil T-stok. you know why? because I think I have that disease, well at least used to until I had that little one on one pep talk for you :) insperation woho! but even 9th graders are skipping school, the other day i found out my 8th grade sister just pretended to go to the bus and dipped to her friends! sneakkkyyy.