I've recently spoken very directly with a few of my students about a malady that afflicts a certain small percentage of students in that final run of days that lead to the big one: GRADUATION DAY. That malady is not the dreaded H1N1 virus, nor bronchitis, appendicitis, or tonsillitis. No, the malady of which I speak is known as "senioritis." Senioritis is an affliction that can treat college and high school seniors the way a fly swatter treats flies. Everything is buzzing along fine and dandy, and then, bam! The symptoms of senioritis are well known. They include an all but irresistible urge to cut classes and ignore due dates for homework and presentations. Students in the throes of senioritis often feel a profound sense of lethargy. Right out of the blue, seniors about to graduate suddenly become candidates for the Nobel Prize in Absenteeism. Stricken with senioritis, some young scholars are unable to lift a single finger or take a single step forward. A severe case of senioritis may actually sink an ordinarily cheerful and energetic senior into a bottomless pit of listlessness and languor. "Seniors," runs my advice these days, "treasure these last laps between now and June. Keep pumping those knees. The finish line is near. Don't stop yet. Don't be an absentee."

malady (n.) 疾病；（社会）弊病；歪风 The common cold is a malady that often afflicts people when the weather is changeable.

dreaded (adj.) 可怕的；令人畏惧的 When the sailors saw the dark shape coming towards them, they feared it was the dreaded sea monster.

symptom (n.) 症狀；徵候 Symptoms of the flu include coughing, sore throat, body aches and fever.

profound (adj.) 深度的；完全的 The spectators felt a profound sense of wonder at the sight of the eclipse.

lethargy (n.) 嗜睡；无生气 The hot, humid weather induced a feeling of lethargy among the students.

absenteeism (n.) 旷课 Giving frequent surprise quizzes might help to solve the problem of absenteeism.

lap (n.) （竞赛场）一圈；（游泳池）一个來回 Swimming laps is a good form of exercise.

fly swatter苍蝇拍 The electric shock fly swatter served as a danger to humans as well as to flies.

to cut class 翘课 Phoebe got in trouble for cutting class to go shopping.

to lift a finger 举手之劳 Kyle was so lazy that he would not even lift a finger to help his mother.