My project for Senior Ventures is focused on investigating the impact childhood experiences have on teenage academics. I will investigate the environmental impacts that might affect grades. This research and survey based study will combine statistical data with psychology. I will address several topics such as the impact the pandemic, social media, anxiety, and depression have had on teenagers academically and I want to assist the students at Darlington and in the Rome area.
I selected this project, because I have a history with my childhood affecting my current academic habits. Having gone to an academically relaxed school, I never had to study or put much focus into my classes. This harmed me later in life when I moved schools and had to not only get used to the school, but also had to learn how to study. Even to this day, it is still hard for me to find the motivation to study, which affects my grades. I also have many friends that experienced being the “gifted child” and that resulted in them burning out at a young age. This occurred perhaps due to their anxiety and the pressure to be the best academically. I want to study this and look at how our childhood might affect us. I am already aware how important childhood is to future abilities, but this is something I want to study more closely.
I will complete this project with assistance from my mentors, Bebe Zazzaro and Chris Allen. The final form of this research and survey based study will be in the form of a podcast. This podcast will hopefully be on a web platform. I am hoping my study will assist me and others.
The Senior Ventures leadership program is a year-long senior project built on a framework of leadership, innovation, and community engagement. The topic and the project design are chosen by an individual student or a pair of students, and the journey is guided by Darlington faculty as well as mentors in the community. Most projects fall into one of the following categories: Investigation, Performance, Entrepreneurship, and Outreach. Candidates are selected according to proposal quality, feasibility, and commitment.
