Destination Syndrome… Do You Have It?

In just a few weeks one hundred and five Year Twelve students will finish a thirteen-year journey, before embarking on their next stage of life.

And it is fair to say that as the end approaches and the finish line comes into sight, the Year Twelves are fighting against experiencing a state-of-mind shared by all those on a journey – Destination Syndrome.

Chances are, you too have experienced this phenomenon during a long road trip or when catching a late flight home. As you get closer to home you tend to start speeding up, ignoring all distractions, avoiding opportunities for breaks; you just want to get home! This increased urge to reach the destination brings with it greater risks. Decisions tend to be based more on emotions. Statistics around this reveal most mishaps and accidents that occur on long road trips will occur within sight of the family home. The Senior Formal is the ‘family home’ the Year Twelves are quickly closing in on.

It takes real strength of character to push through, persevere and stay the course when the destination is in sight. Emotion and fatigue urge you to rush, make rash decisions, relax, and even give up. The end is in sight, holidays are close. Standing in the way though are a couple of last weeks of school rules to abide by, the last few lessons and content to learn, before the final few exams and assessments to complete. Perseverance is required, as is a focus on the end goal and clear steps required to reach it. Graduating school is a great object lesson for this. On many an occasion, a ‘short cut’ has been chosen, or ‘poor decision’ made purely due to emotional or physical fatigue, or loss of motivation right at the death. Distractions are paid too much attention. Schoolies and formal plans are two of the biggest such culprits.

The fatigue of the school year and closeness to the end only increases the temptation to skip study, submit incomplete assessment or not submit at all. I am sure the parents of graduating students out there would all be reminding their students to persevere, stay the course and not allow any mounting emotions or distractions to alter the destination.

Destination Syndrome exists throughout life and in a spiritual sense also. Perseverance is required to stay the course through life in the midst of situational and emotional distractions that present on a daily basis. Paul reminds us in the book of Acts, the significance of ‘finishing well’;

“my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace”.

I want to encourage the Year Twelves, along with all our students, to persevere and push through to the very end. Put in the study and the effort. In your spiritual lives, stay the course and persevere in the midst of your situations. The celebration that comes at the end is much more satisfying and meaningful. And God will honour and bless you for it.

Ben Stiller