Teen Perspective

[more teen perspectives]

What makes a teen happy? Survey says: Music!

Megan T.

Just what makes a teen happy? Think for a second about what makes YOU happy. Is it listening to music? What about getting good grades? Or is it consoling a friend in their time of need?

The Chronicle [Barron Collier High School’s newspaper] tallied up the answers of 85 students, ranging from freshman to seniors, and came up with the following:

Of these 10 choices:

Finishing in well-cooked meal

Getting a good grade

Visiting a loved one

Listening to music

Consoling a friend

Receiving a smile

Someone telling you, “good job”

Helping someone in need

Playing sports

Doing art

The top 5 are:

1. Listening to music

2. Getting good grades

3. Receiving a smile

4. Being told, “Good job”

5. Playing sports

These results bring up interesting points. First, that statistically, music indeed does make the world go ‘round.

Second, the younger the students were, the happier getting good grades made them. Possibly, the excitement of achieving good grades loses its luster as it becomes more commonplace.

Maybe the most intriguing point is how high being approved of ranks on the list. This shows that teens, although that tough exterior may fool many, seek just as much, if not more approval, as any other group.

Not only will this information benefit teens, when they ask themselves, “What really makes me happy?” but it will also be a valuable resource for teachers.

According to this chart, if music were played on occasion, positive reinforcement given regularly and smiles were exchanged more often, the classroom would be a more welcoming place. The point is, in everyday life, you can look at this, and realize if YOU want it, then chances are, someone else does too.

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These articles about teen issues were written by student journalists and appeared in the Chronicle, the newspaper of Barron Collier High School, Naples, Florida.