Talk About Resilience
Shelly Humbach • April 22, 2021
Gen Z, a/k/a/ Zoomers and Their Daily "Pivot"
Gen Z, a/k/a/ Zoomers, get a lot of crap (criticism) for a lot of things. This is true of every generation and it’s fair to say that some of it is deserved and some not so much. Say what you want about Zoomers but man, they have got some cajónes. I know I’m not alone when I say that the word, “pivot” has been used ad nauseum, in the past year, so I’m only going to use it once. Teenagers have been asked and expected to pivot. Daily. And they are, indeed, pivoting.
I have pretty lofty expectations of the students I work with. I coach them yet expect them to take ownership of the college search and application journey. I also hold them accountable for their behavior all the while respecting their opinion and encouraging them to find and use their voice. Call me a hard ass but I really believe that this type of coaching sets them up for success in college, and beyond. I know this tact works. Just ask my adult children.
Not to be Debbie Downer
but we can all agree that this last year has been taxing, incredibly stressful and sorely disappointing. Some days I was relatively productive, and others brought bouts of tears, rage, confusion and analyzing just how over-rated showers really are. The truth is my students rarely faltered. They showed up, engaged, cared (or at least acted like they did) and got the work done. And here we are in April, and the last of the admissions decisions are trickling in. Lots of surprises this year but one thing remained the same. These kids are still standing, and I am just so incredibly impressed with their work ethic and character. I make sure they know that this next chapter is going to be spectacular. And of course, I continue to express my mantra, “It’s not so much about where you go but rather what you do while there.” I am inspired by the sage words from a colleague, Jim Jump:
- A college education has the potential to transform one’s life. The college search should also be transformational.
- The value of a college education lies in the experience one has in college rather than the name on the diploma.
- The college search is ultimately a journey of self-discovery, and the journey is more important than the destination.
- The college process should promote reflection and discernment.
- Choosing where to go to college is a huge and essential developmental step in the transition from adolescence to becoming an adult.
- The college search and application processes should measure readiness for the college experience itself.
- College selection is personal. What is right for me may not be right for you. The goal is finding a good fit, and it is important that the student take ownership of the college search and application processes, as he or she will live with the decision.
It is a privilege to walk alongside these kids and I can’t wait for them to change the world. One pivot at a time.
In June, I hosted my annual Senior Essay Writing Workshop. This was the first in-person workshop since 2019. I bet you can guess why. I was elated to meet my students face-to-face after months, even years, of connecting through the screen. Imagine my surprise at their height, super-smiles, and warm laughter. Dang, it was wonderful. So, essentially, all my in-state seniors gather at my house for a three-hour intensive workshop on crafting a killer college essay. As I was preparing for the event, it occurred to me that I might be in competition with their PHONE. Classic directness (this is probably a character flaw) led me to inform my students and their parents, in advance, that this would be a no-phone gathering. My messaging went something like this, Important: Phones are placed in a basket at the door and retrieved at noon. No exceptions. Parents: If you need to reach your student during the workshop, text me directly at **********. Now, I am fully on board with the phone-free movement. I support it, advocate for it, and live it (I brilliantly quit all personal media last November). And I thought: my event, my rules. I was a little concerned about how this announcement would land. Turns out my concern was mainly about the parents. The kids? Not so much. In fact, research indicates that students crave phone-free learning environments. Suffice to say, the workshop was a smashing success. Not a single student pushed back against the policy. One poor soul forgot to retrieve her phone and left it sitting all alone in the basket. Not to worry, though. She didn’t get far before turning back to grab it. Here’s the truth: We don’t have to bow down to every technological whim or societal pressure. As adults, we know the phone is a problem, and it’s our job to foster healthy, happy individuals. So let's keep this momentum going. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “When you know better, do better.”
I work with incredible colleagues; collaborative, smart and supportive. They make me better and I am deeply grateful. Every year, Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy of Big J Educational Consulting share invaluable information regarding college admissions. Their research is impeccable and accurate and provides crucial data to help students and families make informed college decisions. Read on, share broadly and give a shout out to these generous professionals! Early Decision and Regular Decision Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Domestic Undergraduate Need-Based and Merit Aid Class of 2028 In-State and Out-of-State Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Financial Aid for International Noncitizens Class of 2028 International Noncitizens Acceptance Rate and Yield Class of 2028 Percentage of Students Submitting SAT and ACT Scores Class of 2028 Athletic Divisions and Conferences (partial list) Class of 2028 - NEW! These charts are visual, interactive, and easy to use. They make it possible to instantly sort using any column's metrics and to easily compare subsets of colleges. They are free and can be accessed at www.bigjeducationalconsulting.com/resources . From Jennie and Jeff: We hope you find these resources helpful in your work guiding students. Please feel free to share them broadly as long as they remain in their original unedited form. Permission is not granted to those charging a fee for their distribution. If you find an error after cross-referencing with an institution's Common Data Set, please contact us at info@bigjconsult.com . Thank you!
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