Everyone has changed, according to two Canadian authors of the book called The Ego Boom: Why the World Really Does Revolve Around You.

Steve Maich and Lianne George argue that today we think much differently than we used to. Once upon a time we would ask for help from others. That morphed into the individual wanting, wanting, wanting products. Today, that too, has changed to where we all think we’re experts. We are so “special” that we think we know more than others, and this has led to today’s economic meltdown. For example, many young people have bought homes with huge mortgages, not because they could afford to, but because they are “special” and want everyone to see that, say the authors. We all want to be seen by others. The result is social media such as Facebook.

I use Facebook and sometimes I see a “friend” say “YES, I just washed my hair.” Who cares? Today, the cell phone seems to be the best friend of young people because the phones can be customized with a special ring, a special color, a special type—all special because I’m special.

Employers today report that many potential employees won’t stay on the job, won’t agree change their outlook.

Universities report that students argue, ferociously, to have their grades increased. I know of one case where the students and parents showed up at the door of the professor, along with their lawyer. This philosophy also has led many people to have little if any trust in the institutions of the courts, schools, medicine and more.

A few years ago Time Magazine featured its Person of the Year. No, it wasn’t Bill Gates or the Pope or Gandhi. It was YOU. You and I are so special we can hardly stand it. And yet, how will that attitude work when our young people have to enter the workforce in an economy that is rapidly being transformed? Our children need to learn how to think, how to adjust as the changes come in their future.

Thanks to contributing author John Storm, Center Director of Oxford Learning St. Catharines.

• The Ego Boom: Why the World Really Does Revolve Around You
  By Steve Maich and Lianne George

Time is one of the biggest issues for high school students—there just never seems to be enough of it!

There’s not enough time for homework, family, chores, play, and sleep. There’s not enough time to get that extra project done and go to soccer practice, and not enough time to read that chapter and clean their bedroom.

There’s also one more thing that there isn’t that much time left in—the school year. After all, it is the midpoint of the school year, which, for high school students means that it’s report card time.

Report cards mean that students need to take a look at how they have been doing so far in the school year, and address any issues that they may have, because, as every high school students knows, time is always an issue.

But while the clock may be ticking on the school year, there is still enough time to improve grades this school year, providing that students realize that the time to make changes is right now—while time is still on their side.

Here’s How:

• Read the report card
• Identify the trouble spots
• Get help from an outside source such as Oxford Learning
• Make a plan and a schedule
• Get the work done
• Get time on your side
• Take control of the rest of the year

Stay tuned for more on what high school students can do to improve their report cards.

Tough economic times are afoot. Tough economic times means that we often tighten our belts and eliminate the extras…the luxuries are the first to go. The dinners out, the extra car, the added cable stations…

Whether you are in Canada or the US, Europe or South America, the one thing that isn’t seen as expendable is education. After all, there is only one sure-fire solution to riding the wave of uncertainty for the future…a better education for our children.

We want to protect and to insulate our children from the hardships in life—the best possible way to ensure that this happens is in securing top-notch education for them.

After all, better grades are the best way to ensure that tomorrow’s leaders have a stable future to look forward to.

What can you do, when it seems that the world may be crumbling around you? Give your children a stable ground to stand on. Make sure that they are equipped with the skills that they need to be successful…for today, tomorrow, and for the future.

Education is the way to do this.