No matter how important things may seem to a person when they are a teenager, it not too deep into adulthood that the vast majority of those seemingly critical priorities, pan out to be comparitively trivial.

For example, there is not a single friend from my teenage years who plays a major role in my life. I used to place so much importance on those people and what they thought of me. And by the time I was out of school, they were insignificant in my life.

Here’s the kicker; What soon became important as a responsible adult is STILL important today. Let me put it another way. I have likely lived half of my life-expectancy, yet the vast majority of what was important to me when I graduated from college remains a priority today.

I consider myself in tune with a teenage mind. I remember being one. I understand the feelings. And I am not insenitive when I tell you that one day, you will look back at some of the drama you may feel today, and realize it was all just a learning experience, and not anything dire at all. You may even find yourself laughing at your former self.

Understand, I am not talking about the real life events like divorce and death. Those are issues we all have to deal with and the pain and grief has nothing to do with your age.

Take life one day at a time. Live to give to others while keeping true to your self. The popular kids will be forgotten and you may become the most popular person in your field because of your effort and accomplishments, not because of the way you wear your hair.

And the number one thing you can do for yourself that will last you your lifetime and become more and more important each day on Earth…take care of your health!

Peace.

I’m doing an argumentative essay for my senior AP English class about the problem of teenage apathy and how it should handled. I chose the topic because it’s always been something that’s disgusted me with both my peers and myself. I’m working on defeating my own apathetic ways, but I know that not everyone has recognized that this is a severe problem, in America especially.

Although I may not end up quoting this article directly, I am thankful that you chose to write it, however long ago that was. You offer an extremely valid and rightfully sympathetic opinion here, and I’m confident that students in general would find their motivation more easily if more teachers thought like you do.

Thanks.

Also thank you for writing this out. It really inspired me to write for my essay on teenage apathy. Yeah, I get to write a paper like one of the other fellow commenters((is that a word?)) on this thing. So really, thank you.

I’m 23 but remember well being a teenager and can tell you what went wrong, although I didn’t fully understand the big picture at the time. Teenagers need some control and authority figures (parents, teachers, administrators) need to give us some credit. Teenagers are so close to being on the same level as adults but yet adults believe that anything they do is wrong and they need to be “controlled”. Let us make mistakes! And give us some trust. (I still feel like a teenager sometimes.)

What can I do or say to get him motivated enough to get through this. He has seen a counselor, I’ve talked to, and encouraged until I’m blue in the face, I tried all the traditional methods: grounding, taking away car, taking away phone, making him ride the bus. I’m at the point where I just want him to graduate!!!! If he’s going to eventually work through this, I would rather he come out of it with his diploma, than without.

Any thoughts?