GM, Happy Day!

GN Nostr.

GM nostr

Hello #nostr Popping in to solicit a Happy Birthday from the nostriches. I turned 50 today and spent the day working my three jobs. Reaching out to get a little attention!

GM

GM #nostr #sunrise #heaven

GM #nostr #sunrise #heaven

GM #nostr #sunrise #heaven

GM #nostr #sunrise #heaven

It's a really good stick

STL?

new #meme template for y'all

Supporting #genz with #adultlearning and #andragogy principles in #highereducation #highered

How Colleges Are Adapting to the Changing Needs of Gen Z Students

Colleges and universities are evolving to meet the needs of a new generation: Generation Z. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z students are digital natives who have grown up in an era of constant connectivity, fast-changing technology including touch screens, and increasing social awareness. They approach education differently than previous generations, and higher education institutions are starting to shift their strategies to better engage and support them.

One of the most significant changes is the focus on flexible learning options. Gen Z students value the ability to control when, where, and how they learn. This trend resembles what we know of adult and non-traditional learners, but at an earlier age than with prior generations. Traditional, lecture-based models are being supplemented (and sometimes replaced) with hybrid and fully online courses that offer more autonomy, particularly since the lockdown response to the pandemic. For example, at many universities, students can now take part of their coursework online while still having in-person lab or group work, allowing them to balance education with part-time jobs, internships, or personal commitments. This trend increases the need to incorporate andragogical principles into program and course design.

Another area of focus is mental health support. Gen Z is more open about discussing mental health issues, and they expect their schools to offer resources for stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Colleges are responding by providing expanded mental health services, including teletherapy, wellness centers, and peer support groups. A friend of mine, who teaches at a state university, recently shared a story about a student who was struggling with anxiety during midterms. In response, the campus offered an impromptu “Mental Health Day” complete with workshops, stress-relief activities, and extended counseling hours. The student later said that this small adjustment helped her feel supported and refocused for her exams.

Colleges are also adapting their career services to better prepare students for a fast-changing job market. Gen Z is particularly entrepreneurial and focused on gaining practical, hands-on experience. As a result, schools are offering more internships, career coaching, and mentorship programs to bridge the gap between education and the workforce.

From offering more personalized learning paths to addressing mental well-being and future career readiness, colleges are working hard to meet the needs of Gen Z students. By embracing these changes, higher education institutions are not only helping students succeed academically, but also supporting their overall development in a way that resonates with this unique generation.

Good question....It is a city that's on our list of places we'd enjoy living, so there's that, too. But it's a fair point--there are plenty of places I would not go, so I never apply to jobs there.

We've been struggling with this--for the last 3 years we could live "anywhere we want in the US" but we haven't known what we want. Now there's a possibility of a job in a particular location, so giving that serious consideration. But absent a specific job....no idea and struggle with the same.

"Setting the bar low, especially to get started, frees you to play..."

"Only a few weeks following the officious fact check at the #debate, we now have new data from the National #Crime Victimization Survey. The Wall Street Journal reports: 'The urban violent-crime rate increased 40% from 2019 to 2023. Excluding simple assault, the urban violent-crime rate rose 54% over that span. From 2022 to 2023, the urban violent-crime rate didn’t change to a statistically significant degree, so these higher crime rates appear to be the new norm in America’s cities.'" https://brownstone.org/articles/lockdowns-codified-a-world-of-violence/

Overcoming Perfectionism: Embracing Mistakes to Learn by Doing

I once worked with a colleague, Amanda, who was the epitome of precision. Her attention to detail was impressive, and her work was flawless—when it finally got finished. But deadlines would come and go while Amanda agonized over each pixel in a presentation or the wording of a proposal. Her desire for perfection was admirable, but also her greatest obstacle. Amanda's fear of making a mistake often paralyzed her from moving forward.

Her story is not unique. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that mistakes are inherently bad, and something to be avoided at all costs. In reality, mistakes are an essential part of growth, especially in professional environments where adaptability and continuous learning are prized. The pursuit of perfection can be stifling, leading to missed opportunities and delayed progress.

I can still recall a project early in my career where I faced a similar dilemma. I was tasked with leading a new training initiative, and like Amanda, I wanted everything to be perfect before launch. I spent days tweaking the curriculum, questioning whether I had included all the necessary elements, and imagining every possible scenario that could go wrong. In the end, I pushed the project forward with lingering doubts in my mind. To my surprise, the initial rollout wasn’t perfect—but that’s where the magic happened.

Feedback from participants showed me areas that needed improvement, but more importantly, it taught me lessons I could never have learned by agonizing over theory and preparation. Through their input and my willingness to adapt, the training program became stronger and more effective than it would have been if I had waited for it to be flawless from the start.

This experience helped me realize that perfectionism is an illusion. In any meaningful work, progress is made through iteration—by trying, failing, learning, and trying again. Embracing mistakes as part of the process allows us to move forward with greater speed and confidence. The key is not to aim for perfection, but to be open to growth, and willing to embrace the lessons that come with imperfection.

GM #nostr

this, from Okinawa: