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Generation Z is considered the most anxious generation, with one in two struggling with anxiety on a daily basis. This alarming trend is due to a variety of factors, most notably the so-called “pressure cooker schools” that place significant academic pressure on students. From the relentless pursuit of top grades to the race for impressive extracurricular activities and coveted spots at prestigious universities, there is an almost palpable sense of unease among our youth. According to the London School of Economics, this pressure is damaging to their well-being and is compounded by increased parental pressure.
As parents, it is our job to recognize and manage the impact this has on our children’s mental well-being before they reach adulthood. While we dream of our children excelling academically and socially, it is equally important to equip them with the resilience and optimism necessary to overcome the life challenges they will inevitably face in college and beyond.
As the Director of Admissions at Quad Education, I have experienced this college anxiety firsthand, which is why our mission extends beyond academic performance. We value the holistic well-being of our students and guide them toward a healthy perspective on success and failure. With that in mind, here are three essential skills that we believe are essential to the success of today’s youth in college.
1. Embrace failure and rejection
Anxiety often arises from the fear of failure, a formidable hurdle in the quest for personal growth. To be successful, our children must embrace rejection as a valuable part of their journey. Contrary to popular belief, failure is not a dead end, but rather a stepping stone to resilience and success. It’s important that we convince our teens that failure is not only normal, but also important for building strength and character.
I recently had a conversation with Erick Mueller, executive director of the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He emphasized the importance of hands-on learning and proactive problem-solving in fostering resilience and independence in today’s teenagers. Mueller calls for a move away from the fear of failure and toward an entrepreneurial mindset of innovation and persistence. His advice is refreshingly simple: Encourage kids to break free from the passive grip of technology and immerse themselves in the action. In a time when screens often have more appeal than real-world experiences, it is all too easy for our youth to remain spectators and not actively participate. By guiding students in activities that push their boundaries, supporting their passion projects, and encouraging them to take risks, we can empower them to view failures as valuable lessons rather than setbacks. What we need are courageous young people who will carry on despite all odds and not let setbacks define them.
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2. Separation of academic achievement and self-esteem
When we talk about the impact of failure, it is important to also address how students perceive their self-esteem in relation to their academic performance. There is a common misconception that a student’s worth depends solely on their grades or the reputation of the colleges they do or do not attend. This idea suggests that only those who secure a place in Ivy League institutions are intelligent, successful, and worthy of recognition. However, this belief couldn’t be further from the truth.
In recent years, we have seen a noticeable decline in college acceptance rates, with Ivy League schools only accepting 3% of their applicants. This does not mean there is a lack of qualified candidates; There is simply a lack of seats.
While it is important to promote academic excellence for intellectual growth and future opportunities, it is equally important to remind our children that their value goes far beyond their academic achievements or the name of the college they attend. No single institution or achievement defines its identity. True success lies in leveraging their individual talents, passions and contributions to the world. It is these unique characteristics that shape their identity and pave the path to fulfillment and impact.
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3. Disconnect from social media
Disconnecting from social media is a huge challenge, especially for today’s youth who are deeply consumed by it. This reliance on social media undeniably contributes to Generation Z’s collective anxiety. In our current reality, where fake news and carefully curated posts blur the lines between truth and fiction, teens are often caught in a vicious cycle of comparison where their… Self-worth is measured by likes, followers, and virtual validation.
This paradoxical relationship with social media has created a troubling sense of disconnection from others and reality. While the endless stream of online personas consumes them, they are simultaneously disconnected from real connections and meaningful experiences in the real world. We must empower them to break free from this curated online existence and rediscover the value of authentic connections and offline experiences.
Fostering a sense of self-worth that isn’t tied to online metrics can help them build resilience and confidence based on their own inner values. To help them do this, we need to encourage them to find balance in their relationship with social media, appreciating its benefits while prioritizing real interactions and experiences beyond the screen. By guiding them to use social media in a healthier way, we can help them take back control of their well-being and find fulfillment in the wealth of real-world connections that have so much more to offer.
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Final thoughts
As our youth face increasing anxiety, it is time to face the harsh realities of academic pressures and social media overload. Let’s equip our youth with resilience, remind them of their inherent value, and guide them toward meaningful connections that extend beyond the digital realm. It’s a call to action for a generation that needs true human connection and inner perseverance, and we parents must strive to lead this change.