We're nearing the end of the school year and no doubt students and teachers alike are quite anxious for it to be over and for summer to begin.

I imagine that by now, our area seniors are suffering from a raging case of "senioritis."In an article from the website of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, senioritis is defined as "a sickness" that strikes high school seniors with symptoms that include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweat pants, 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."As humorous as that statement is and as innocuous as it may seem, there can be serious consequences if both the attitude and the behavior aren't addressed.For example, for those students who were fortunate enough to receive merit-based financial aid to help pay for their college tuition, failure to maintain their class rank or GPA could result in the loss of their aid.Additionally, students risk being placed on academic probation or could even face the rescinding of their admission offers.Slacking off in your senior year can also make your freshman year of college extremely challenging and it doesn't stop there.The habits we form when we are young can carry on into our adult life as well.As Hunter S. Thompson said, "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right."How easy it is to brush things off because we just don't feel like doing it or to put minimal effort into something just so we can move on to something else that we deem is more fun, important or more worthy of our time.The work we do, whether if it is at home caring for family members or out in the workforce, is important to other people who rely on us to not only care about whatever it is we are doing, but to do always do our best and to do it right.Going back to school teachers for example: Wonderful are the ones who actually do care and come up with creative ways to educate all of their students and who reach out to those who are struggling and patiently try to help them, rather than turning a blind eye and clearly expressing annoyance when a student asks for additional assistance.No student should EVER be too afraid to ask their teacher for help.So too are the physicians and nurses who, instead of handling you like cattle, actually take the time to listen to what you have to say (since you know your own body better than them) and do all they can to properly treat you.A particular "hats off" to the attorneys who are more concerned with what is in the best interest of a person and righting the wrong rather than the "cha-ching" in their bank accounts. (And yes, they do exist.)Let us not forget the priceless value of parents who fully invest themselves in the everyday lives of their children by making sure they are clothed and fed properly, making sure they do their school work (and helping them when necessary), taking an interest in and supporting them in their activities and teaching them right from wrong while providing praise and correction accordingly.Think of the potential consequences when doctors, lawyers, judges, law enforcement, government, etc. become bored, complacent or apathetic with their duties and toward the people they are responsible to in their daily work. The results can be and often are catastrophic.Regardless of where you fit within the mix, the things you do (or fail to do) and the choices you make (or fail to make) matter; if not to you, unquestionably then, to someone else.So to you seniors, take heart; this season of your life is almost over. What is important is that you press on and give it all that you've got as a new season will soon begin.Know that everything you do matters.And something that all of us should keep in mind, "Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence." - Author Unknown.