Survey Responses
what are some issues that you're facing (personally) in high school?
“Balancing homework with work outside of school; eating well and in proper portions at regular times; maintaining my physical health (exercising); getting enough sleep; dealing with the contradiction of going to school and doing things I don't enjoy.”
“I have no free time. I suck in science.”
“Irritating and lazy friends. The school system. Loads of typical problems.”
“Relationship turbulence.”
“Personal insecurity, unsure what I will do later in life, trouble making friends.”
“Time management: getting all my work done while still having time for myself.”
“Anxiety – both about current events (homework, friends, etc.) and the really scary thing that is the future. Either wasting my time or scheduling more stuff until I'm too stressed to function. Not knowing where I am going, or if I will ever have a life I want.”
“I am falling behind in a couple of my classes, and even in danger of failing one of them. I don't have any issues currently that aren't directly related to schoolwork.”
“I have no free time. I suck in science.”
“Irritating and lazy friends. The school system. Loads of typical problems.”
“Relationship turbulence.”
“Personal insecurity, unsure what I will do later in life, trouble making friends.”
“Time management: getting all my work done while still having time for myself.”
“Anxiety – both about current events (homework, friends, etc.) and the really scary thing that is the future. Either wasting my time or scheduling more stuff until I'm too stressed to function. Not knowing where I am going, or if I will ever have a life I want.”
“I am falling behind in a couple of my classes, and even in danger of failing one of them. I don't have any issues currently that aren't directly related to schoolwork.”
what are your wildest dreams and aspirations?
“Traveling all over Europe meeting people and enjoying myself; traveling lots of other places; becoming fluent in a language other than english; making enough money so that I am not worried about myself or my family; getting a lot of recognition for my art; living a life that is interesting enough that other people would want to listen to me talk about it.”
“To live in a castle with a huge library while running my own corporation.”
“I would like to go to college and then teach English in Asian countries. I would also like to join a boyband and become rich and famous.”
“To find a job/career that I love doing with all my heart and that I am reasonably well at. Also, to marry the right person, and have kids.”
“To become an actor and live in London.”
“I want to be successful. Not exactly famous, but successful so I can have a good life.”
“It would be so cool to be famous for something I created – I would hate to have the invaded privacy of an actor but the ability to light up days just by talking to someone makes me really happy! I guess in a perfect world I would be a writer, but I also don't like so many aspects of publishing.”
“If I could do absolutely anything, I'd travel to all kinds of beautiful places and take photos. I'd really love to do something like that and be able to share my work in a medium that lots of people would be able to enjoy, because everybody likes being appreciated.”
“To live in a castle with a huge library while running my own corporation.”
“I would like to go to college and then teach English in Asian countries. I would also like to join a boyband and become rich and famous.”
“To find a job/career that I love doing with all my heart and that I am reasonably well at. Also, to marry the right person, and have kids.”
“To become an actor and live in London.”
“I want to be successful. Not exactly famous, but successful so I can have a good life.”
“It would be so cool to be famous for something I created – I would hate to have the invaded privacy of an actor but the ability to light up days just by talking to someone makes me really happy! I guess in a perfect world I would be a writer, but I also don't like so many aspects of publishing.”
“If I could do absolutely anything, I'd travel to all kinds of beautiful places and take photos. I'd really love to do something like that and be able to share my work in a medium that lots of people would be able to enjoy, because everybody likes being appreciated.”
what are some things you're looking forward to once you've graduated high school?
"Sleeping better; eating better; exercising more; traveling and reflecting on my life.”
“Going to college, traveling the world, meeting new people, and perfecting a skill.”
“Not having to take math and science for the rest of my life. Getting started on my real actual life.”
“New experiences. College. Being an adult in the world.”
“Traveling the world and seeing new cultures. I also look forward to making my life my own.”
“Traveling, and experiencing the world.”
“Making new friends in college, I guess. Meeting new people and doing new things outside of the confines of a small town and small high school. Maybe even get a girlfriend. Who knows? I certainly don't.”
“Well, in the very short term, summer vacation, of course, when I'll be doing fun things like theater lighting and actually getting a chance to read, finally. In the longer term, I'm looking forward to meeting cool people in college, and after that hopefully getting some kind of job which I will enjoy, provide sufficient funds to live on, and leave me time to myself to do as I please.”
“Going to college, traveling the world, meeting new people, and perfecting a skill.”
“Not having to take math and science for the rest of my life. Getting started on my real actual life.”
“New experiences. College. Being an adult in the world.”
“Traveling the world and seeing new cultures. I also look forward to making my life my own.”
“Traveling, and experiencing the world.”
“Making new friends in college, I guess. Meeting new people and doing new things outside of the confines of a small town and small high school. Maybe even get a girlfriend. Who knows? I certainly don't.”
“Well, in the very short term, summer vacation, of course, when I'll be doing fun things like theater lighting and actually getting a chance to read, finally. In the longer term, I'm looking forward to meeting cool people in college, and after that hopefully getting some kind of job which I will enjoy, provide sufficient funds to live on, and leave me time to myself to do as I please.”
what are some things you're scared of once you're done with high school?
“That my habits will not become healthier; I won't make the right decision about what to do; I'll make it harder for my parents in whatever decision I make; my grandparents will not be pleased with any decision I make; I'll lose all my friends.”
“Not knowing anything about what I am supposed to do to take care of myself. Not having any money. Not having teacher support.”
“Being alone, and getting started with my real actual life.”
“Leaving what I've known behind.”
“Finding a job and paying for college. Also, being able to make new friends in life.”
“The expectations I will be faced with as an adult.”
“Everything. I'm scared of even the things I said I was looking forward to.”
“I'm scared that without my parents managing my time and, to some extent, my expenses and social life, I will become a procrastinator extraordinaire and it will whittle away my time with an enormous cleaver. I'm a little scared to face grown-up responsibilities like bills and taxes and stuff, but that's mostly not one of my worries."
“Not knowing anything about what I am supposed to do to take care of myself. Not having any money. Not having teacher support.”
“Being alone, and getting started with my real actual life.”
“Leaving what I've known behind.”
“Finding a job and paying for college. Also, being able to make new friends in life.”
“The expectations I will be faced with as an adult.”
“Everything. I'm scared of even the things I said I was looking forward to.”
“I'm scared that without my parents managing my time and, to some extent, my expenses and social life, I will become a procrastinator extraordinaire and it will whittle away my time with an enormous cleaver. I'm a little scared to face grown-up responsibilities like bills and taxes and stuff, but that's mostly not one of my worries."
what do you think are some major issues that kids today are going to have to deal with once they're adults?
“Standing up for their own opinions and ideas after so many years of not being able to; challenging their own apathy; changing systems that are incredibly rigid.”
“Finding jobs in the fields they want. Debt.”
“Global warming. For the U.S. and some other countries, financial problems (the spending deficit).”
“Living unsupported and in a more responsibility oriented society. We may also have trouble managing money.”
“Maybe, struggling to be themselves?”
“Well, the economy is hell and colleges cost a bunch and if you don't go there's no chance of a job instead of just a very small one.”
“Well, there's global warming-y stuff, of course. In the realm that this question is probably directed towards, though, I feel like the gamification of work and the abundance of rewards for small accomplishments that have been becoming more and more prevalent will suddenly drop away. I think that for many people just entering this new mindset without constant back-patting and handholding will leave them adrift, overwhelmed, and depressed. Also, telling children that they are bright and "gifted" etc., then suddenly they aren't anymore once they enter the competitive market.”
“Finding jobs in the fields they want. Debt.”
“Global warming. For the U.S. and some other countries, financial problems (the spending deficit).”
“Living unsupported and in a more responsibility oriented society. We may also have trouble managing money.”
“Maybe, struggling to be themselves?”
“Well, the economy is hell and colleges cost a bunch and if you don't go there's no chance of a job instead of just a very small one.”
“Well, there's global warming-y stuff, of course. In the realm that this question is probably directed towards, though, I feel like the gamification of work and the abundance of rewards for small accomplishments that have been becoming more and more prevalent will suddenly drop away. I think that for many people just entering this new mindset without constant back-patting and handholding will leave them adrift, overwhelmed, and depressed. Also, telling children that they are bright and "gifted" etc., then suddenly they aren't anymore once they enter the competitive market.”
what are some major issues that kids are facing right now?
“Contradictions in education/safety measures that they've been made to internalize; time constraints; staying healthy.”
“Figuring out who they are. Feeling like adults listen to them.”
“The idea that we all need to be perfect and to do that we need to go to college and get a well-paying job.”
“Society and its ideals of "Acceptable," such as transgender, straight, gay and anywhere in between, etc. Bullying and harassment issues. Mental problems (also connects to acceptance in society) such as depression. Balancing their lives; school life, social life (internet or otherwise, also a part of this is relationships and dating), homework, sports/extra curricular activities, and sleep.”
“The media bombardment of what we “should” look like and act like. Also finding ways to express feelings that we don't understand.”
“Ignorance and arrogance.”
“Kids are cruel to kids. Adults are cruel to kids. Expectations are high. Mental stability is all too low. No sleep. Crying.”
“Kids today have it good! Depending on the age of the "kids" you mean, there's college tuition getting pricier and pricier. I really can't think of too much that kids face that isn't about the same or less than years past.”
“Figuring out who they are. Feeling like adults listen to them.”
“The idea that we all need to be perfect and to do that we need to go to college and get a well-paying job.”
“Society and its ideals of "Acceptable," such as transgender, straight, gay and anywhere in between, etc. Bullying and harassment issues. Mental problems (also connects to acceptance in society) such as depression. Balancing their lives; school life, social life (internet or otherwise, also a part of this is relationships and dating), homework, sports/extra curricular activities, and sleep.”
“The media bombardment of what we “should” look like and act like. Also finding ways to express feelings that we don't understand.”
“Ignorance and arrogance.”
“Kids are cruel to kids. Adults are cruel to kids. Expectations are high. Mental stability is all too low. No sleep. Crying.”
“Kids today have it good! Depending on the age of the "kids" you mean, there's college tuition getting pricier and pricier. I really can't think of too much that kids face that isn't about the same or less than years past.”
what do you think adults think of our generation?
“Some adults think we need to be carefully protected and that we shouldn't even know how our own bodies work until we become adults ourselves. They think the world’s problems are as much our fault as theirs and that we should selflessly devote ourselves to fixing the environment and the economy for the benefit of future generations. They think our escapism in music, art, the internet and instant messaging is ridiculously selfish and wastes time. Even adults that respect us as individuals are still hoping that it will be us to give the solutions and set things right.”
“That we are a crazy group of kids filled with radical ideas.”
“I'm not really sure, I can’t tell whether they're worried about our inability to do anything or worried that we'll become much more successful as a generation than they were.”
“I think most adults see the next generation in very much similar lighting just different settings. Foolish kids or savors of the messes of the adults generation. Anywhere in between there. It depends on the adult and how they view the setting.”
“They see themselves. They think about when they acted like we do and they hope that we will grow up and be able to take care of ourselves.”
“They might think we're too rambunctious/just wild in general.”
“We're lazy and addicted to technology. People of any generation are, though. Old people, young people. Everyone is lazy. I am the laziest. The one true laze-master.”
“Obviously, adults are mixed. There are always adults who think the current generation of teens is rebellious, lazy, and listen to awful music, and there are always adults who don't. As always, though, there is the constant issue that adults tend not to listen to the opinions of younger people as much as those of their own generation.”
“That we are a crazy group of kids filled with radical ideas.”
“I'm not really sure, I can’t tell whether they're worried about our inability to do anything or worried that we'll become much more successful as a generation than they were.”
“I think most adults see the next generation in very much similar lighting just different settings. Foolish kids or savors of the messes of the adults generation. Anywhere in between there. It depends on the adult and how they view the setting.”
“They see themselves. They think about when they acted like we do and they hope that we will grow up and be able to take care of ourselves.”
“They might think we're too rambunctious/just wild in general.”
“We're lazy and addicted to technology. People of any generation are, though. Old people, young people. Everyone is lazy. I am the laziest. The one true laze-master.”
“Obviously, adults are mixed. There are always adults who think the current generation of teens is rebellious, lazy, and listen to awful music, and there are always adults who don't. As always, though, there is the constant issue that adults tend not to listen to the opinions of younger people as much as those of their own generation.”
what do you think the adults want you to do in life?
“Go to college and study science or business. Get a well paying job that helps as many people as possible. Support myself and my family if they need me. Live traditionally and successfully. Be unique and interesting.”
“Go to an ivy league school and be extremely successful.”
“Go to college, stop using the internet and do things in the real world.”
“I think they want me to do the best I can. But, again, it depends on the adult. I think I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by adults who understand that I am my own self and that I have different skills and experiences then them, and they encourage me and support me in my decisions. I also know there are others not as lucky, where the adults in their life have goals and expectations set that the kid doesn't want to meet for their own reasons. Not to say that the adults in my life don't have expectations, they just know to set those expectations for me to try my best and that beyond that it's my life.”
“Be happy in whatever I do and not let money guide me.”
“I know some who just want me to live the way I see fit, but I also know others that want me to be the best I possibly can so I can live the life they think I want.”
“I don't know what anyone wants me to do. I don't know what I want me to do. If anyone has some sort of a plan, please tell me. I'll take it into consideration, but probably ultimately not follow it. Old people don't understand my tormented teenage soul.”
“I think now more than ever, there's kind of a push towards the "do whatever you like most and money will follow" mindset and away from the "major in accounting" one. Or maybe that's just our school and my family. But even if not, that's all I have experience with.”
“Go to an ivy league school and be extremely successful.”
“Go to college, stop using the internet and do things in the real world.”
“I think they want me to do the best I can. But, again, it depends on the adult. I think I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by adults who understand that I am my own self and that I have different skills and experiences then them, and they encourage me and support me in my decisions. I also know there are others not as lucky, where the adults in their life have goals and expectations set that the kid doesn't want to meet for their own reasons. Not to say that the adults in my life don't have expectations, they just know to set those expectations for me to try my best and that beyond that it's my life.”
“Be happy in whatever I do and not let money guide me.”
“I know some who just want me to live the way I see fit, but I also know others that want me to be the best I possibly can so I can live the life they think I want.”
“I don't know what anyone wants me to do. I don't know what I want me to do. If anyone has some sort of a plan, please tell me. I'll take it into consideration, but probably ultimately not follow it. Old people don't understand my tormented teenage soul.”
“I think now more than ever, there's kind of a push towards the "do whatever you like most and money will follow" mindset and away from the "major in accounting" one. Or maybe that's just our school and my family. But even if not, that's all I have experience with.”
what would you like older generations to know about you and your friends?
“It should be known that we do want to help. We do want to help the world. There is, however, a lot of red tape everywhere I've looked. So many limits put on everything you can imagine. Some people can balance saving the world with filling out forms, paying fees, working part time, maintaining their health mentally and physically, and staying social. Not most people though. And that's only some of the things that have started to become a burden on people my age and will only get worse I know. If older generations want younger generations to change the world, they have to initiate it themselves. The system isn't working.”
“Some of us are actually really intelligent and giving us a chance is a good idea. We are brimming with new ideas and we will be in charge in a few years. Let's get to know each other!”
“Our future is going to be very different from what your future was when you were our age. We have new problems and new ways of dealing with them, we will not be like you.”
“I think I'd like them to at least consider that my generation, that every kid in my generation are our own selves and to respect that. I would also say that, previous generations should not criticize mine and shouldn't deflate our dreams. Instead they should teach us to reach for the stars and beyond. Yes, some will fail but some will also succeed, if they're given the chance to. I would also say that the older generations should also not do all the talking and shouldn't ignore us and our ideas just because we're 'kids'. Some of us have ideas that could reinvent the world, I'm sure, yet in order for those ideas to come to life the adults need to listen well, and consider hard what potential we, the next generation, have to offer.”
“We still like to talk and hear stories. We also do change and can be caring from time to time. We also do like to better ourselves but we need a push from time to time.”
“We know more about ourselves than they think. More freedom would be nice.”
“Technology will not ruin the world. It will enhance it. It always has. Speaking of things that have always happened, don't be left on the wrong side of history. Be as progressive as possible. Humans will be humans. We progress. It's one of the cool things about us.”
“Some of us are actually really intelligent and giving us a chance is a good idea. We are brimming with new ideas and we will be in charge in a few years. Let's get to know each other!”
“Our future is going to be very different from what your future was when you were our age. We have new problems and new ways of dealing with them, we will not be like you.”
“I think I'd like them to at least consider that my generation, that every kid in my generation are our own selves and to respect that. I would also say that, previous generations should not criticize mine and shouldn't deflate our dreams. Instead they should teach us to reach for the stars and beyond. Yes, some will fail but some will also succeed, if they're given the chance to. I would also say that the older generations should also not do all the talking and shouldn't ignore us and our ideas just because we're 'kids'. Some of us have ideas that could reinvent the world, I'm sure, yet in order for those ideas to come to life the adults need to listen well, and consider hard what potential we, the next generation, have to offer.”
“We still like to talk and hear stories. We also do change and can be caring from time to time. We also do like to better ourselves but we need a push from time to time.”
“We know more about ourselves than they think. More freedom would be nice.”
“Technology will not ruin the world. It will enhance it. It always has. Speaking of things that have always happened, don't be left on the wrong side of history. Be as progressive as possible. Humans will be humans. We progress. It's one of the cool things about us.”