Grown-Up

After more or less 5 months of teaching, I observed my students' attitudes and behaviors.  Most of them are in between the ages of 7-18 years old. That's basically teaching three different levels: Elementary (Grades 4-6), High School (3rd and 4th year), and College (1st year).

The most interesting age group are those students in 3rd year high school to 1st year college. In my opinion, during this years, one is getting ready to become mature or grown-up. 

A lot of changes are happening to them: mentally, physically and emotionally. In this stage, you may begin to feel affections toward the opposite sex (or for others, the same sex. lol). Others handle their growing up years properly but others are too excited to be "grown ups". 

Peer pressure is a very big factor in teens nowadays. For example, in order to get accepted in a barkada, you need to have a boyfriend or girlfriend first. If not, you will be pushed to find a lover even if it's against your will. 

Based from my observations, high school students are most interested in the topic of sex. Yes, you heard me right. There are so many discussions regarding this matter. No wonder why a lot of teenagers are getting pregnant. Mostly they want physical love not emotional.

College students on the other hand are very different. They're beginning to know their priorities. Some like to finish school first, but others like to study and be in love. Being in love is okay just as long as it doesn't affect their studies. Loving someone is the same as having a supply of inspiration, not obsession and distraction. haha.

Students fall apart or stop school mainly because of two things: money and heartbreaks. 

The money part I can understand because it is inevitable. Others want to pursue studying but because they can't afford to pay their school fees, they drop out. It is sad and it is the reality. 

On the other hand, some students refuse to continue with their schooling just because they are devastated. By what? But by love of course. See how this thing called love can affect oneself? It's frightening that some people would rather die than face the pain of letting go. Oh believe me when I say this. haha.

Now, how does one become a grown-up?

Acting like a grown-up is very different from acting and thinking like one.

Behaving based on your intuitions and impulses does not always apply in every occasion. A mature person should first think of what this certain action might result to in the future. You must be sure that your decision would not affect other persons, including yourself,  negatively. 

Hmm so after contemplating for quite a while, I guess I have come up with a formula:

Critical and rational thinking + emotional and spiritual guidance = a Grown-up individual who acts and thinks like one.  

Young people should understand this. Knowing many things does not automatically qualify you as mature, but it is how you see things in life.

PS. I hope this post makes any sense at all. haha.

(^_^)