Growing Up: The Series

In this series, you'll experience a variety of different perspectives on the transitional aspects of growing up through different forms of media.

The series starts with a piece by Jay Shorts that presents the ideas of learning the rules of life during early childhood through an instructional booklet.

Following that, a heartfelt playlist curated by Kezia Will-Turay representing the deep emotional changes that happen during the transition from adolescence to teenage years is presented.

After that, the teenage years start to be explored with a piece by Simon Morris, one that describes the sobering realization that leaning solely on natural talent doesn't lead to success.

Grace Fescoe continues the exploration of ideas of the teenage years by telling the story of the change of the sports atmosphere through an engaging crossword puzzle.

Jayden Rivers finishes this section of teenage years by presenting a helpful letter of advice to teenagers that worry about their transition to adulthood.

Afterwards, Samantha Ocran begins to dissect the pressures placed on young adults to be able to determine their future with a love letter to change.

Owen then contributes a creatively written workout split that describes what students should work on each day if they hope to succeed in such a different atmosphere.

Finally, Sarah Gheen explores the immense pressure placed on 18-year-olds to have their whole lives figured out through a TikTok feed.

Preteen Years

25%
Growing Up: Instructions Included
Growing Up: Instructions Included
Assembly Instructions for Growing Up Under the Age of 10
85%
Emotions in Transition
Emotions in Transition
A musical journey through the emotional changes from childhood to your preteen and teenage years

Teenage Years

95%
The Effort Epiphany
The Effort Epiphany
A sobering documentary about the exact moment you realize being "naturally talented" doesn't mean anything without effort. Watch as gifted children coast through their early years, only to be overtaken by those who learned to work hard.
8%
The special sports-addition transitional crossword
The special sports-addition transitional crossword
Transition through sports from high school to college with an engaging crossword!
75%
A Letter to future students
A Letter to future students
A heartfelt letter about transitioning from childhood to adulthood and navigating life's big changes

Adult Years

92%
Owen's Workout Split for Beginner College Students
Owen's Workout Split for Beginner College Students
The perfect routine to help you manage all of the various challenges that arise when starting your college journey
50%
Love Letter to change
A Love Letter to change
A mature reflection on embracing change and personal growth through life's transitions
88%
The Pressure of Having Your Life Figured Out at 18
The Pressure of Having Your Life Figured Out at 18
A TikTok feed that explores the immense pressure placed on 18-year-olds to have their entire futures planned out

About the Authors

Jay Shorts
Author - Growing Up: Instructions Included
Jay Shorts is a Mechanical Engineer Major, who wrote about growing up and graciously gave a guide to aid those who are under the age of 10. They wrote to show and steer preadolescence in the right direction and help navigate the trouble and problems they might face, even the ridiculous ones they themselves have encountered. 
Kezia Will-Turay
Curator - Emotions in Transition: A Playlist
Kezia Will-Turay is a Nursing major who has decided to cultivate a playlist that represents the emotional rollercoaster that she experienced between her adolescence to her teenage years.
Simon Morris
Author - The Effort Epiphany
Simon is a Computer Science major at Widener university who loves to express his internal struggles through writing. His piece is a testiment to the journey he has had in understanding his potential.
Grace Fescoe
Creator - Transition through sports from high school to college
Grace Fescoe is a civil engineering major at Widener University. She chose to write about a personal change from high school sports to a collegiate level. She used a crossword puzzle to dive into the many puzzle pieces that are the transitions between levels.
Jayden Rivers
Author - A Letter to future students
Jayden Rivers is a Criminal Justice major who wrote about how difficult the immediate transition from childhood/being a teenager to becoming an adult and having new responsibilities can be for many people.
Samantha Ocran
Author - A Love Letter to Change
Samantha Ocran is a freshman year student at Widener University. She is studying Biology with a minor in Psychology on the Pre-Dental track. In this piece she writes about how change can positively transform you in the form of a love letter to change itself.
Owen Rowe
Author - Workout Split for Beginner College Students
Owen Rowe is a Civil Engineering major at Widener University. He chose to write about the transformation as a first-year college student in the form of a workout split. This split is based on personal experiences, which helped him become a better student.
Sarah Gheen
Creator - The Pressure of Having Your Life Figured Out at 18 (TikTok Feed)
Sarah Gheen is a Nursing student who has decided to create a TikTok feed representing the immense amount of pressure put on 18-year-olds to have their whole lives figured out.