17-year-old Malena suggests ways to help her generation reach their full potential
Malena Troncoso Sarni was commended in the Harbinger Prize 2025. This is her entry.
Gen Z has faced challenges that were previously unimaginable to past generations, particularly in education. As a young student, I was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and, more recently, by the democratisation of AI (artificial intelligence). You might think that these challenges would slow us down, but, in fact, they make us stronger and more resilient.
The Gen Z generation is adaptable and takes on humour in times of crisis. We do this by relating to each other through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. These applications come with their disadvantages, but there are certainly some benefits.
To ensure that we reach our full potential, we must agree that changes are needed in the education system. Not just in the United States, China, Ecuador, Mexico, Indonesia, France… or Argentina, where I live. But everywhere.
I spent hours and hours on my computer: in Zoom meetings, studying with friends, playing games, chatting away. Distance did not separate us; it only pushed us to become more creative in how we stayed connected. When faced with challenges, our generation adapts. And we do so quickly.
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For some of Gen Z (usually defined as those born between 1997 and 2012), their high school experience has already ended. But, if they wish, that’s not the end of their education: they could move on to more studying, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorates, and so on.
To ensure a brighter future for Gen Z and the following generations, I have a couple of ideas. But first, I wish to reflect on my experiences as a student so far.
Coping with Covid-19 and AI
When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, I was 11 years old and in the sixth grade. All of a sudden, my day-to-day life drastically changed. Normal had a new connotation.
My school transitioned to online learning. I joined Zoom classes some days; on others, I worked autonomously and met online with my teachers during their office hours. Although I missed my familiar learning environment, I grew accustomed to my new reality.
After this virtual period came to an end, we slowly began returning to our school campus. It was weird at first. We had to maintain distance from our classmates and teachers. Above all, we had to wear masks.
I was either on campus with classmates or in a Zoom meeting while the other half of the class was physically at school. Somehow, we normalised it. We were grateful to at least see each other in person.
As we began to forget the pandemic, a new challenge emerged: the arrival of AI. It was groundbreaking. I first heard about it in late 2023 at school, then from my parents. Everyone started to use it. I was slower to do so. I used it once, but never really got into the habit.
I only really started using AI consistently in 2025. I learned to write effective prompts and discovered the wide variety of AI platforms. It was intriguing to see how these platforms could help with nearly everything: creating images, conducting research, citing sources, planning trips, making presentations, and more.
We had to adapt, yet again. Can you identify a pattern? We have become adaptable not by chance, but by force. I think it’s for the best.
How to help Gen Z students
However, I have a couple of suggestions to help teachers reach students and to cope with the presence of AI.
The first thing is Gen Z’s short attention span. Addressing this is key, as research has found that the attention span of Gen Z individuals is about eight seconds. Four seconds less than that of millennials.
So, are teachers and students doomed? Absolutely not. As a student, I respond best to videos and personal experiences. I like short to medium-sized texts. However, with the right topic, I will retain attention for longer.
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To capture Gen Z’s attention, UCAS (the UK’s admissions service for higher education) recommends skipping lengthy introductions and getting to the point.
Short-form videos are effective teaching tools because they are fast-paced and easy to understand. TikTok creators suggest keeping them between 21 and 34 seconds. The first few seconds are particularly crucial as you should aim to hook the audience. As a TikTok user, the first 5–6 seconds of any video determine whether I will keep watching.
In addition, my generation values authenticity. We like hearing about personal experiences and origin stories.
Another idea that comes to mind is playing music (of many kinds) as class starts and students settle in. My IB (International Baccalaureate) business management teacher does this, and it sets the tone for learning. Rather than diving straight into lessons, incorporating strategies that capture students’ attention and trigger the release of dopamine significantly enhances receptivity.
As for AI, it is a breeding ground for cheating, but it does not have to be that way. Teachers should try out AI for themselves, encourage creative thinking, and consider including students in decision-making on how and when to use AI, and the suitable consequences if these rules are not followed. To not get caught up in its disadvantages, we must agree on these terms and, once again, adapt.
My language and literature teacher told me that she thinks her students would benefit from more time outside and working with their hands. I study with my computer for the majority of the day, so working with my hands would be lovely.
There is no doubt that AI makes our lives easier, but it also means that we are bound to the digital world 24/7. By spending more time disconnected, we can reduce our “digital dependence” and shift to hands-on learning.
My friends and I agreed that classes should be shorter, but that we should have more of them. This is difficult to implement due to the IB syllabus and other requirements, but we believe that we would benefit greatly.
We also believe that we need more practical life skills. We should learn about personal finances: how to open a bank account, understand taxes and manage budgets. I would even add basic first aid, digital literacy and safety, and perhaps cooking classes.
By following these changes, I believe that my peers and I will be able to reach our full potential. Not just because of these changes, but because of our will to succeed and adapt in our ever-changing world.
© 2026 The Oxford School for the Future