“Is there a glitch on your Veracross grade report?” As the text from my parents flashed across the screen, I felt my stomach sink to the floor. For some, it was an innocent question, but for me, it was the “ding” of impending doom because my 12th Veracross grade report was currently a streak of Fs, Ds and one C in ceramics. How did it get this bad? It’s something I’ve wondered myself, and the reason for telling this story.
For those struggling with senioritis, read this as a cautionary tale. This is how I lost my good grades in ten short days.
Coming back to school from spring break, senioritis had hit me full force. I had no motivation to check my Google Classroom or open my Gmail. I’d just gotten my acceptances from The Partie School and Ole Missassignment, so did classes really matter at this point? As long as I didn’t get any D’s, I should be fine.
In my defense, the first day I was locked in. At least when my computer wasn’t open. Just ask my seat partner, Kate. She knows how focused I was.
“She paid attention in the AP Gov lecture… For about 30 minutes,” Kate Kerry said. “After that, I saw her hop on Coolmath games. Wasn’t that site supposed to be blocked anyways?”
Just as I was starting to burn out from schoolwork, I realized I had R-period last. I had a few questions to ask about the next biology test, but if I left early, I could go get Chick-fil-A. I obviously went with Chick-Fil-A. I mean, what was the point in studying anyways.
After checking out and going to eat with my friends, I got another notification. My parents were going to be gone on a trip for ten days! For some reason, my friend, Taylor, thought I couldn’t handle the lack of responsibility.
“I think that day is when Randy went too far down the senioritis rabbit hole,” Taylor Tots, remarked. “Giving up on your responsibilities like that is a slippery slope.”
The next day, I decided to stay home from school. I mean, nothing super serious was going on anyway. I only had three tests and a bibliography due. Instead, I spent some time reconnecting with nature by scrolling on Instagram Reels in the park.
For the rest of the week, I committed myself to avoiding assignments as much as possible. Why would I willingly stress over those missing assignments in Google Classroom? High cortisol is terrible for the mind.
After deleting my teacher’s third warning email about making up my test, I started to brainstorm even more ways to enjoy this newfound freedom. And what would be better than a party on a weekday?
Instead of finishing my term paper for my capstone, I gathered my friends together and decorated the house for the party of the century. Still, not all of my friends agreed with my creative genius.
“I have no idea why she thought a weekday party was a good idea,” my friend Suzie Study said. “I had to leave halfway through to finish my English reading assignment.”
The party may not have gone exactly as planned, but I still had a good time. However, I did have to clean my house before my parents got back. Someone also broke my violin, but on the bright side, at least I have a reason for missing orchestra practice now.
As I was cleaning, I got curious to see my grades. I know I hadn’t been the best student these past ten days, but they couldn’t be that bad right?
Unfortunately, they were. And I now had detention hours for missing my mandatory Saturday test makeup. Then came the notification of despair.
Looking at my phone, I immediately went to ChatGPT to draft an apology message to my parents about my grades. But just as I was about to confess my grades, a new text flashed across my screen.
“April Fools! I haven’t even looked at Veracross,” read the text from my mother.
I had been saved, at least until my parents came home. Now I just have to make up those 15 assignments that were not turned in, and say goodbye to my next two Saturdays to finish these makeup tests.
