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College Confidential

Welcome to your very own "safe space"

Social Media
College Reading Redux

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on June 24, 2024

If Mom jeans can come back in style with Generation Z, maybe reading can too? Here are three lessons learned from a parent and educator.

If Mom jeans can come back in style with Generation Z, maybe reading can too? Here are three lessons learned from a parent and educator.

Media
The End of Reading

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on May 29, 2024

College students aren't reading anymore, unless you count texts, tweets, and social media comments (but I don't and here's why).

College students aren't reading anymore, unless you count texts, tweets, and social media comments (but I don't and here's why).

Attention
The Distraction Problem

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on August 22, 2022

Students report being more distracted than ever, as they stare at their phones with intense and undivided attention. The book Distraction helps demystify this contradiction.

Students report being more distracted than ever, as they stare at their phones with intense and undivided attention. The book Distraction helps demystify this contradiction.

Sex
Is Verbal Consent the Right Criterion for Consensual Sex?

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on February 4, 2022

Colleges and universities in the U.S. emphasize the need for verbal consent before sex. But that doesn't seem to be working with students who are drinking to the point of blackout.

Colleges and universities in the U.S. emphasize the need for verbal consent before sex. But that doesn't seem to be working with students who are drinking to the point of blackout.

Media
The Deep Divide Over the "Cleavage Controversy"

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on June 25, 2021

A controversy over sexy school pictures: are we allowing girls to express themselves or encouraging the very thing we say we hate in this society—objectifying the female body?

A controversy over sexy school pictures: are we allowing girls to express themselves or encouraging the very thing we say we hate in this society—objectifying the female body?

Self-Esteem
Are Gen Z'ers Too in Touch With Their Feelings?

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on August 16, 2020

Have you ever wondered what happened to the self-esteem movement? It's alive but not well. Our youth are more in touch with their feelings than ever before—and it's a crisis.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the self-esteem movement? It's alive but not well. Our youth are more in touch with their feelings than ever before—and it's a crisis.

Anxiety
Young, Anxious Minds Online All the Time

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on May 8, 2020

What's behind Gen Z's nervous breakdown? Is it social media? Cellphone use? Hypersensitivity to the world's problems? Identifying with diagnoses? Yes, all of the above.

What's behind Gen Z's nervous breakdown? Is it social media? Cellphone use? Hypersensitivity to the world's problems? Identifying with diagnoses? Yes, all of the above.

Career
You Love to Teach!

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on May 29, 2017

Why do millennials expect perfection in themselves but resist like crazy the hard work it takes to get there?

Why do millennials expect perfection in themselves but resist like crazy the hard work it takes to get there?

Student presentation
Confidence
Safe Spaces Can Be Dangerous

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on March 20, 2017

What's so safe about "safe" spaces? They prevent students from growing and adapting, which is, in fact, really scary.

What's so safe about "safe" spaces? They prevent students from growing and adapting, which is, in fact, really scary.

Bias
The Mirage of Sexism

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on September 27, 2016

Sexism is real. But what about when it's not? Find out why calling something "sexist" when it's not can be counterproductive and self-defeating.

Sexism is real. But what about when it's not? Find out why calling something "sexist" when it's not can be counterproductive and self-defeating.