Wake up.
Waking up.
And now awake.
Three stages in greeting the sunrise. Heavy eyelids either effortlessly going back to the depths of slumber or forced wide open. To sleep is to refrain from seeing what tomorrow offers.
Waking up, the day ahead stays the same. It runs for 24 hours, but those hours both differ and like, depending on one’s generation.
The youth can say that there are only two generations they consider: others and the Gen Z’s. Different in demography, views, experiences, even priorities. Each generation both has highs and lows, strengths, and weaknesses. But best it is to tackle the most relevant question in every generation: What makes the youth of today worth celebrating?
Most of the youth today are under the period of technology, best known yet for their name moniker Generation Z. Gen Z’ers, to use the colloquial, are mostly connected and have wide networking than those of older generations, indescribably tech savvy, and has ease of access to information and whatnots as the internet provides in a daily basis. According to Insider Intelligence, Generation Z considers itself more accepting and open-minded than any generation before it. Almost half of Gen Zs are minorities, and the majority of Gen Z supports social movements such as Black Lives Matter, transgender rights, and climate change.
With the power of connectivity enabled so easily at the palm of their hands, what are the noticeable changes Generation Z offered for today?
Let’s take it closer to home and cite certain happenings under MSU-GSC.
Availability.
Now this may differ per user, however common in communities such as in universities and respective colleges. Availability not only refers to the act of being “available” in a certain period of time, but it’s being “online,” within social media.
Having all the time of the world may be an exaggeration, but one way or another, most students still find a way to share memes, have time to transform into a marites with a few stalks, and upload for certain social media status and stories.
Best examples of these are inquiries. A post away and multiples in the college community will be able to help you instantaneously. Announcements also within the campus, with official accounts yet to announce memos for the mass – with the students’ availability of gathering data, information dissemination is fast-paced.
Generation Z’s ability to be always online is advantageous in multiple cases. Regardless of that, availability will cease to exist without the root of internet itself.
Accessibility.
This is to taking it figuratively and literally.
Literally, as it is the reason of today’s broad networking. Students are always in an aim to spread information in the university, as mentioned above. It could be ranging from schedule changes to official event announcements and the necessities attendees need to take. Not all may have access to quick data connection, yet with one having a phone does that, they can just spread the word and have the news relied to the whole college in span of an hour.
Figuratively, one can take it to the route of media. A reminder that centennials are global citizens and are the most diverse of a generation. According to Chase Charaba of PeopleKeep, this gives them a unique perspective on the world and makes them more tolerant of others.
One may easily think of the students who join multiple organizations, in an aim not only to color their resumes, but to have the experience. Generation Z are entrepreneurial, independent, and confident of their abilities – that’s why when it comes to campus events, it’s a never-ending battle of overcoming already high standards.
It’s the access to connectivity itself – to relationships, to businesses, and so on.
Authenticity.
A bit far-fetched from the first two – yet that what makes it genuine.
Transparency is one of the key traits most centennials have. They tend to notice easily, and to have it voiced out immediately. Noticing not only by what they have observed by their surroundings but having the efforts to educate themselves on the matter.
Generation Z is considered to be the “softest” and the most “sensitive” of all. However, the people are forgetting the fact that they grew up to be empathetic – acknowledging one’s emotions and finding ways to make others at least understand what it is like to be in one’s shoes.
Topics catered to this such as depression and mental health – all have existed way before back then yet only addressed often as of now.
Not only that, but to being open-minded on what’s not so easily accepted by the public. The Gen Z’ers are embracing discussions and living their truths despite such unacceptance.
Mindanao State University – General Santos City sticks to their branding of being a peace state university. Not only are they open to the oppressed and marginalized, but to those specifically who are discriminated in terms of gender and sexual orientation. With that, they have LGBTQIA+ students that can freely express themselves around the campus. A not so far reminder of that was Prof. Alizedney M. Ditucalan’s announcement, as 4th Chancellor of MSU-IIT, that graduates of batch 2022 are to be given the choice to wear their preferred attire according to their lived identities in gender and expression.
Overall, the youth of today befalls under the Generation Z. Technology development is increasing and their adaptability to the latest trends are a no easy feat. They are resilient, surviving against the pandemic and still will take a step forward into classes with a strong heart. One day, you will be surprised as to witnessing their march, embraced by red togas.
Gen Z: The youth of today, the next survivors and the limit breakers of today.
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