For Wakefield’s senior class, the fourth quarter of the 2015-2016 school year is the last quarter of high school that they will spend in a high school classroom. Seniors have spent almost four years in high school, and as this chapter of their life comes to an end, many feel a mixture of emotions: reminiscence, celebration, and even some feelings of a loss of interest in high school and sincere anticipation for the future.

“Seniors: when you start to feel lazy, go back to six months ago and remember why you were working so hard,” said guidance counselor, Jasmine Alston. “You still haven’t reached that goal; you still haven’t graduated.”

During this time of the year, many formerly motivated seniors start to slip due to their excitement for college, work, the military, or whatever plan they have for their life beyond high school. Although this time is very exciting, seniors must remember to live in the moment; it’s not over yet.

“A lot of seniors have been admitted to college, so their brains are at East Carolina University, N.C. State or wherever; their brain is not here,” said Alston. “I get it, though. We’re all ready for summer, but we all have a job to do. [Teachers and counselors] were not born in their thirties and forties, we remember what high school was like.”

Another faculty member with insight on senior behavior is English teacher, Anthony Calabria. Calabria has been working at Wakefield for fifteen years, so it is fair to say he knows a thing or two about the patterns of senior performance during the fourth quarter.

“Much like anticipating a gift or a holiday, [seniors] see the future ahead of them and are ready to go onto that next part of their life,” said Calabria.

It is true that many seniors foresee the hopeful image of the next step in their life, but it is extremely important for seniors to be in tune with reality. Finishing with valor is of upmost importance.

“When I see people not doing well at the end of the year, I feel like they’re weak,” said Calabria. “Nobody wants a weak person in their life; it’s important to maintain a strong, noble character.”

The struggle to hold onto that once strong motivation is nothing new for seniors. The so-called “senioritis” is a condition that has plagued seniors for years.

“I don’t take my backpack out of my car unless I absolutely have to,” said senior, Tori Kimball.

Although this diagnosis seems incurable to those suffering from its effects, two things can cause symptoms to subside: focus and motivation.

When asked what is keeping him motivated to finish the year strong, senior, Owen Drugan