Helping Gen Z Students Find Their "Why" in the Classroom

Written By George Engel

"Why do I even need to learn this?" Every teacher has encountered some version of this question. For Generation Z, it's not just casual classroom banter; it's a genuine quest for meaning. When students fail to see the relevance of what they're learning, they tend to disengage, not because they're lazy, but because they are seeking a sense of purpose. 

Today's students are navigating rapid change, cultural upheaval, and mental health challenges. Research (Haidt, 2024) indicates that the need for connection and resilience has never been greater. If we want them to engage in challenging and meaningful work, we must help them discover their "why."

Why Purpose Matters

Psychologist David Yeager (Yeager et al., 2014) found that students who connect their work to self-transcendent goals are more persistent, take more risks, and bounce back from setbacks more easily. Likewise, Yeager and Carol Dweck's (2012) research shows that purpose-driven students are more likely to develop a growth mindset, believing they can improve through effort.

How to Help Students Discover Their Why

Helping students find purpose is a process, not a one-off activity. Here are three strategies teachers can introduce:

  1. Reflective Journaling
    Prompts like "What did I do well this week?" and "Why does this matter beyond grades?" can help students connect values to their learning.

  2. Group Discussions About Values
    Open conversations where students share what they care about and how they want to make an impact can spark insight and connection.

  3. Drafting Mission Statements
    Students take what they've learned from reflections and discussions and create a personal mission statement. It can evolve over the year as they grow.

A "Future You" exercise, where students picture their life 10 years from now, can also help them bridge imagination with action.

What It Could Look Like

  • Math Classroom: Students write one-sentence mission statements such as, "I want to become a person who solves real problems with logic and creativity."

  • English Classroom: Students might connect their reading and writing skills to advocacy, stating, "I want to use my words to challenge injustice and inspire change."

These statements act as reminders, helping students understand the significance of their work.

Quick Start Ideas for Teachers

  • Begin class with, "What do you want to be known for by the end of this year?"

  • Share your own mission statement with students.

  • Use a single class period to draft early versions of student mission statements.

  • Revisit and revise quarterly.

The Payoff

When students articulate their "why," they take ownership of their learning, build resilience, and view school as a place for personal growth. For Generation Z, this is not just motivating; it is essential.

Sample Lesson Plan and Worksheet

References:

  • Deloitte. (2025). Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey. Deloitte Insights.

  • Gallup & Walton Family Foundation. (2024). Sense of purpose drives Gen Z happiness. Gallup.

  • Haidt, J. (2024). The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Press.

  • Yeager, D. S., Bundick, M. J., & Johnson, R. (2014). The role of future work goal importance in adolescents' schoolwork effort. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106(4), 667–684.

  • Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2012). Mindsets that promote resilience: When students believe that personal characteristics can be developed. Educational Psychologist, 47(4), 302–314.

George Engel