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<p>Actually, I chose that word with some care. I avoided “kids” (a common usage here) because that sounds a little pejorative in this context. I meant to convey, as concisely as possible, that the students I had in mind (HS juniors and seniors zeroing in on college choices) ARE “younger” than most. By “younger,” I’m not of course speaking of chronological age. Some people, particularly highly sensitive people and introverted people, avoid the rowdy outgoing social scene in high school, and as a result do seem “younger.” They have less experience dealing with difficult situations, such as correcting registration problems, asserting their rights, speaking up to ask for what they need. I’ve worked with these “youngsters,” and I can say that, overall, they do turn out to be the teachers and the poets and the peacemakers. But at 18, or 22, they’re not ready to swim with the sharks.</p>