Being a Student of Millennials, Gen Z & Gen Alpha

I have three years until I reach a half-century, which means I belong to Generation X. I have been fortunate to witness three younger generations who have come, seen, and conquered the world. In fact, they are now ruling it. Today, I would like to highlight what I have learned, am currently learning, and hope to learn from these younger generations.

Learning from Millennials

There is a narrow distinction between late Generation X and early Millennials. Many of my friends, close cousins, and colleagues fall into this category, and I have been fortunate to work the majority of my life with Millennials. Having primarily worked with this generation in both my personal and professional life, I have developed a fondness for them. Therefore, instead of referring to it solely as learning, I prefer to think of it as a process of sharing and exchanging ideas with Millennials. 

Learning from Gen Z

Let me first take a deep breath, for what I am going to write now may make many people wary, for lack of a better word. But, no, that won't stop me, I will write my mind, I will write about what I learnt, and I absolutely don't prioritize other people's feelings or sentiments, or even the consequences they may go through, for what I write. 

--Don't worry, I was just being dramatic, but this is exactly what I have learnt from Gen Z. 

There was a time when we, Gen X and Millennials, were not allowed to say certain words in front of elders, even those whom we didn't know. But nowadays, as I have observed, while passing a group of school-going teenagers, who are in the same school as my daughter, how they can totally unsee an older person and speak using words I am forbidden to write here. This may sound bad, but it is actually good in the sense that they can be themselves anytime, anywhere, showing truly what they are. 

I have also learned how to disapprove of something that you don't like with the use of just a finger. You don't like some people, place, situation or even society, what is your finger for? Show that. So I have learnt how to silently protest.

Positively, I have also learnt how to utilise any learning in the smartest way, that too with the help of my finger, from this generation only- be it some new technology or an app on my mobile. To sum it all up, Gen Z has proven to be the smartest generation so far, who has technically, literally and symbolically got the world under its fingertips. 

I have also learnt to forget, let go and absolutely erase people out of my system who don't serve any purpose and instead waste my time, energy and sometimes money too. Earlier, when I used to think I knew it all, I had a tendency to be there for people when they needed, never thinking about my own precious time being wasted there. But now, no way, I am a wiser person, all thanks to the learning from Gen Z. 

Learning from Gen Alpha

After Millennials, the generation I am closest to the most is Gen Alpha, as my daughter belongs to that generation. The most important thing that I have learnt from Gen Alpha is not to get easily convinced. I remember, when I was young, a simple peck from my mom or an Eclair could easily convince me to do things that I had little interest in doing. But nowadays, it's not that easy with my daughter; she needs a detailed explanation of why she has to do whatever she has to do. The same goes with her friends and also the students in my reading and writing classes. The knowledge they have about all the things startles me every time I interact with them. Just like Gen Z, they readily apply everything that they have learnt, without waiting. So, I can very proudly say that my daughter, who is just 9, is capable enough to fix a meal for herself without anyone's supervision, as she is well aware of the technology to do it readily and fast. 

I am continuously learning, every day, every moment. And I am waiting for Gen Beta to show me new ways and perspectives of life, just the way Millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha have done. 

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