Two weeks to go, and for some of us that makes two weeks too long. Senioritis spreads faster than the flu as many of us wrap up our education.

Yes, as summer break draws closer, the motivation to finish up papers, homework, and final exam study guides seems to be draining out of students every second. Even the dress on campus has gotten sloppier as more yoga pants, gym shorts, scraggly beards, and sloppy buns plague the Quad.

Senioritis, according to Urban Dictionary, is “a crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: Laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as graduation.”

While the definition only defends high school seniors, we can only assume for those graduating from a university the effects have doubled. However, the debilitating disease, it seems, is not just being caught by the class of 2012. According to an article on CNN, all grade levels, even teachers, are itching to get out of the classroom. Milner seems more like a dark cave than library, and classrooms more like a coffin. With finals still needing to be taken, students are left to buckle down and fill in the bubbles on their scantron sheets even if it pains them.

Even though senioritis may not be curable, there are certain actions that can aid those who are afflicted. An e-How article about battling senioritis made some suggestions to get students through the last weeks. One of them is to create a timeline; this can help put an end to procrastinating or not doing anything altogether. A timeline will help keep track of tasks and deadlines without requiring an all-nighter.

The article also suggested enlisting a friend to keep motivation levels up. However, from personal experiences, we warn students to keep this to a single friend instead of a study group, as symptoms are often heightened when working in large groups. Call on friends with the same classes to find out what their studying schedule will be. No one wants to be the one slacker in the duo, so maybe with this tactic students will at least feel more obligated to assist in getting work finished.

One of the most important ways to battle senioritis is one of the least productive tips. Take time off. After a certain amount of time of slaving over books and papers, eyes will start to glaze over and learning will come to an absolute halt. Take time to go do other things. Go for a work out, hang out with some friends, or go out to eat. Do something that you actually like. For some students, this might be better to plan toward the end of the evening as returning to work can be even more difficult after having a taste of freedom.

The last tip we have, especially for a senior, is to take advantage of all the tools you have at ISU while they are available. Why not? You’ve paid for them. If you haven’t been to the Career Center yet, get over there. Have them look over your résumé and cover letter. Check out books from Milner you’re curious about. Take advantage of tutoring and visiting with professors. There are two weeks left of your academic life — might as well do them right.

The good news is that senioritis goes away on its own. When finals are finished and books are sold back, the lack of motivation to go to work, shave, and get dressed in the morning will ease, especially as the pools open and it’s time to fit into a bathing suit. Until that point though, limit your time on daydreaming about beaches and summer concerts or doing the Sudoku on the back of the Vidette. Good luck!