“I just don’t care,” said every high school student ever. A common phrase among teens, it can be applied to almost anything: calculus homework, soccer practice, family time and more. Studies have proven that teens have become more and more apathetic.

This poses a major problem for the future of the Millenium General and Generation Z. An uncaring stock of future leaders, doctors and businessmen leads to a chaotic future, devoid of progress.

This is not to say that teens don’t care at all. Most are generally hard working, motivated and innovative. Particularly at Orono High School, students take advantage of the variety of opportunities offered in the school and community. However, especially as each semester comes to a close and fantasies of far-off spring break intoxicate the mind, motivation fades. The initial excitement of school has long faded away, but that doesn’t mean that motivation should.

It is too easy to ignore obligations with an onslaught of entertaining technology. It is possible that this is the very reason that teens are apathetic. Being privy to every acquaintance’s woes broadcasted across multiple social networks dulls any sympathy, especially considering the triviality of everyone’s issues.

After numbing reactions to those, it is a gradual but easy progression to not caring about more serious things, like education, emotional wellbeing and people in need.

Teens need to take charge of their lives and motivate themselves. Minimalism is a great way to fail. People are doing as little as possible to meet the bare minimum of what they need. This is not a strategy that will bring about the change teens think and know the world needs.

Taking opportunities and exploring options is a start, but staying motivated seems to be the biggest issue. Teens need to feel that they are working toward something, which is why so many seniors experience the slide.

The applications have been sent and acceptance letters received; now high school just seems like semantics. Even for underclassmen, the routine of school has lost its shiny aura of possibility and given way to final exams.

The important thing for teens to remember is that despite what seems to be petty routine now, every occurrence in life, be it calculus class, soccer practice or family night, is a part of preparation for the future. The present is a focus, but the future is tomorrow’s present, and teens need to be ready. With a little (or a lot) more empathy, teens can build a brighter future. It just takes someone to care.

Maddie Mayhew is the Editor in Chief – Online for The Spartan Speaks.