Throughout students years in grade school, they are usually asked what their goals and plans are after they graduate. Teacher usually ask the questions at the beginning of the year so the teacher can know more about the students. Many students will write that they want to be a doctor, a lawyer, a police officer, or any other profession they look up to, but as time gets closer to the end of the school journey into the real world, many have done nothing to take the next step into becoming what they say they have always wanted to be. It’s more something teens just say, instead of actually making an effort to do. Student apathy shines through in how they choose to do things daily, or rather how they choose not to do things.
A lot of students live their lives without consciously setting priorities. Some say when they turn 16 they’ll get a job or their license, yet they are 17 or even 18 with neither of them. Many use the excuse that they don’t have the time, but what could they possibly be filling their time with? Most students are lazy, merely ticking away hours at a time on their phones or netflix without considering the impact it will make on their future. Looking for a job and taking driving classes are things that do take time, but most things worth doing take time. It’s easier to get things done now with a good support system in place at home and school, because when people procrastinate while they’re young, it becomes a habit as they get older. It would be better to kick the bad habit now, and make it a good one by being timely and focused on a goal. Teens need to be aware of how they spend their time.
Teens seem not to care generally about anything and it’s considered an apathetic generation that is influenced by social media, but very little take any action. People will post quotes that have to do with being successful, but behind a screen are sitting on their butt doing nothing.
Another sign of apathy in teens is that they are unable to budget. Even if a student has a job, they should learn how to save, but instead they end up blowing it on things that don’t even last. Some students have to buy their own car, pay their own rent, and their own phone bill, but run into a problem, because they don’t have enough after spending it on other useless things. Saving money and spending wisely should become something teens get used to, because they’re going to have to do it one day, and it teaches responsibility. It helps them learn how to separate money for the things they want and saving and spending on things they need, or sacrificing what they want and get their necessities first.
Doing all of these things will teach many lessons to teenagers that are actually doing it. The ones who are working on making steps to the next big thing and their goals will be taught maturity, responsibility, and then appreciate it more because it’s something they were able to overcome themselves. These students chose to go a route and make their dreams a reality.
Many adults tell younger people to enjoy their teenage years, but teens do not realize that enjoying their teenage years doesn’t always mean partying every weekend, staying up late, and being with friends all the time, it could mean making a living for themselves, finding their happy place, or even learning new things.
Being apathetic towards things that matter have its consequences, so I suggest if students complain about what they don’t have, it’s better to go out and get it, because it will not just happen overnight.
