Austin is currently in the midst of flu season, but there is actually a worse disease spreading through the hallways of Westwood; I would know. It’s only been two weeks since I’ve returned to class and I believe I’ve already contracted the highly contagious “senioritis.” Already the symptoms are manifesting: a general sense of sluggishness, lack of motivation, and obsession with Netflix.

In days past, I was a consistently attentive student: staying up every night to prepare for assessments, always turning in my finished assignments on time, and maintaining a near-perfect attendance record. But in the very first week of class (just four days!), I have already bombed a quiz, turned homework in late, and, though I will deny it if asked directly, snuck out of class. I realize that none of these transgressions seem like causes for alarm, but for somebody who has always done everything by the book, I was somewhat unsettled by my sudden desire not to work on any of my assignments.

Of course, I could probably just blame my laziness on the aftereffects of winter vacation. After all, we all just spent two weeks enjoying time away from teachers and homework and tests, so we all certainly need time to readjust. However, I simply cannot ignore the multitude of tempting reasons why I, and all of us seniors, should just stop trying to succeed during this second semester. After all, most of us have already finished applying for colleges and/or thinking about post-graduation employment. It seems that all we have to do is to merely pass our classes at the lowest grade possible, and we will be home free.

As it turns out, however, this is not the case. Many colleges request transcripts at the end of the school year that contain all of your final grades for senior year. If grades on this report represent a decline, you may be placed on academic probation for your first year of college, or any offers of admission or scholarship may be rescinded. And even if you are not planning to attend an institute of higher education, continuing to work hard in school helps prepare you for the workplace.

Therefore, it is important to maintain your drive and commitment all the way to the end of the school year—or at least until grades freeze. Though they will be immaterial in a few months, for now grades remain relevant to our futures. We should all, especially those of us who are not seniors, try to cure ourselves of this rampant senioritis.