🧒 Episode 5: Through the Eyes of the Next Generation

What Happens When We Actually Listen to Middle Schoolers?

Big questions, honest answers — straight from Gen Z.

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🌱 A Fresh Perspective

This week, we handed the mic to someone younger — and guess what? She had a lot to say.

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🎙️ Welcome Back to 3 Junior — Episode 5 Is Here!

Today’s episode is a little different — and a lot special.

We usually talk to adults, professionals, or older students. But this time, we’re taking a step back and turning to someone from a younger grade. Why? Because sometimes, the clearest thoughts come from the voices we don’t hear enough.

Our guest is Ecem, an 8th grader who spoke to us with honesty, humor, and heart. She opened up about school stress, friendships, growing up, and what she’d change about the world — and reminded us all that middle schoolers are more than “just kids.”

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💬 What We Talked About: Real Talk with Ecem

🔹 School: the good, the bad, and the confusing.

Ecem shared what she loves (and doesn’t love) about school — and what she wishes would change.

🔹 What adults don’t get.

She told us that adults and older students often underestimate younger teens. There’s more going on under the surface than people assume.

🔹 Pressure is real.

Even in 8th grade, expectations are heavy — from teachers, parents, and sometimes even friends. We talked about how she handles it all.

🔹 Friendship, role models, and dreams.

From what makes a good friend to who she looks up to, Ecem showed us how thoughtful and wise younger students can be.

🔹 Growing up isn’t one feeling — it’s all of them.

She described it as exciting, scary, and confusing — all at once. And honestly? We felt that.

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🎯 Mini Project: Ask a Younger Me

Inspired by Ecem’s honesty, we’re launching a project called Ask a Younger Me.

Here’s how it works:

🎤 High school students will interview younger students about school, pressure, and growing up.

📖 Then, we’ll turn those conversations into a short advice booklet — written by students, for teachers and parents.

The goal? To help adults understand what younger teens really need — straight from the source.

📲 Stay tuned on Instagram for updates and how to get involved:

👉 @3juniorpodcast

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💬 Final Thoughts

This episode reminded us of something simple but powerful: age doesn’t determine insight.

Middle schoolers like Ecem have thoughts that deserve to be heard — not just by their peers, but by adults too. Their words are full of truth, perspective, and quiet wisdom.

So if you’re younger: speak up.

If you’re older: slow down and ask questions.

Because growth happens when we listen across generations.

🎧 Listen to Episode 5 here:

🔗 Through the Eyes of the Next Generation – 3 Junior Podcast on YouTube

📲 And follow us for more episodes, creative projects, and honest conversations:

👉 @3juniorpodcast on Instagram

Thanks for listening — and we’ll see you next time on 3 Junior 💙