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Friday the 13th

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Friday the 13th

It’s Friday the 13th, and not only that, but Friday the 13th of October, the spookiest month of them all.

The belief that this date is unlucky is widespread in Western culture. Does it scare you? Are there things that you avoid on Friday the 13th? Or do you live your life as normal?

What else, if anything, are you superstitious about, and why? If you don’t consider yourself superstitious, why not?

Tell us in the comments, then read the related article to find out the origins on this famously unlucky day.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Picture Prompts here.

Word of the Day: phonics

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Word of the Day: phonics

The word phonics has appeared in 24 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on June 1 in “Jacques Bailly, Spelling Bee’s Pronouncer, Has Tricks For Saying Words Correctly” by Remy Tumin:

On Sunday, Jacques A. Bailly gathered with the bee’s other pronouncers, along with its vocabulary team, in what he described as an “all word-nerds hands on deck” to go through the entire list of words and practice saying each one aloud.

… Mr. Bailly won the bee in 1980 at the age of 14, and he has been pronouncing words for the competition since 2003. He traced his interest in spelling back to first grade, when he learned to read using phonics, sounding out each consonant, symbol and letter until it formed a word — not too different from what he does before a national audience.

Can you correctly use the word phonics in a sentence?

Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.

Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.

If you want a better idea of how phonics can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.

Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.

The Word of the Day is provided by Vocabulary.com. Learn more and see usage examples across a range of subjects in the Vocabulary.com Dictionary. See every Word of the Day in this column.

13 Conversation Starters Inspired by ‘Being 13’

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13 Conversation Starters Inspired by ‘Being 13’

Over a year ago, The New York Times put out a call for teenagers who, with their parents’ permission, would let a reporter write about them. Of the hundreds who responded, three girls from three states — Addi, Anna and London — became the subjects.

They kept diaries, sent text messages and recorded voice memos about their days. Perhaps most important, they let a Times reporter, Jessica Bennett, see what was on their phones — the videos they watched, as well as the direct messages and texts they exchanged. The result is a vivid, multimedia look at what it’s like to be 13 today, at a time of dire headlines about what social media is doing to teenage brains.

One piece of advice from the series: Instead of banning teenagers from social media, try talking about it with them. Teenagers want adults to listen to them, and to create an open environment for discussing both the benefits and the drawbacks of life online.

That’s where we come in. If you’re new to The Learning Network, we’re a free resource to help people teach and learn with the news. Every school day, we post a discussion forum about something in The Times, and teenagers around the world contribute their thoughts. For this one, however, we’re inviting comments from teenagers and adults alike. Anyone who is 13 or older is invited to contribute to what we hope will be an interesting and lively intergenerational conversation about these issues.

Below is a set of questions inspired by “Being 13” to get you started. You might explore them at your dinner table, in your classroom or with family or friends. Then, when you’re ready, we hope you’ll post a comment here — or respond to something that someone else has said. And if you’re a teacher, we also have a related lesson plan.

  • Do you think being 13 today is harder than it was for earlier generations?

  • What’s fun, useful or positive for you about life online? On which apps or sites do you generally feel good?

  • What’s problematic or negative about your life online? On which apps or sites do you tend to feel unhappy or unproductive?

  • Do you feel like you have control over social media, or do you feel like it’s controlling you?

  • What do you wish people of other generations understood better about life online today?

  • Do you think you are on your phone too much? What would be the “just right” amount for you?

  • Have you ever been involved in a misunderstanding, fight or drama online or via texts? How did you handle it?

  • Experts say adolescent girls struggle with depression and anxiety at disproportionate rates compared with their male peers. Why do you think that is?

  • What rules does your family have about phone, internet and media use? If you were to write a plan with rules or boundaries that everyone could agree on, what would it look like?

  • How can adults — whether parents, teachers, mentors or those in other roles — help young people better navigate life online?

  • What advice would you offer others about healthy phone and internet habits?

  • If a reporter followed you the year you were 13, what would that person have observed? How might he or she have described you and your world?

  • What are the best and worst things about being the age you are right now?

Anyone 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, is invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

Lesson Plan: On ‘Being 13’

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Lesson Plan: On ‘Being 13’

None of us are immune to the negative effects of poor phone and social media habits. In this activity, you will read some expert advice and decide which tips you would like to incorporate into your daily life. Then, you’ll try out a few, reflect on the results and offer your own advice to others.

First, some context. To accompany “Being 13,” The Times’s Well section has published related reporting, including “What Social Media Does to the Teen Brain.” In it, Catherine Pearson writes that, despite the headlines, the effect of social media on adolescent health isn’t so clear:

Every generation has its moral panic and for Gen Z — teenagers today — it is, undoubtedly, social media.

Recent public health warnings have stoked fears in parents that a generation of kids is doomed because they are always online. Girls, the headlines warn, are at particular risk: Mental health-related E.R. visits are up, anxiety is skyrocketing and they are being inundated with images of the “thin body ideal.”

Still, neuroscientists and psychologists who specialize in the teenage brain put it plainly: Yes, social media is of concern because the rapidly developing adolescent brain may be uniquely vulnerable to what the platforms have to offer. But the science is not nearly as settled as some of the most dire headlines would make it seem.

What do you think? Is teenage social media use an overblown moral panic, or does it merit concern and attention? Do you agree with the United States surgeon general that it is a “significant public health challenge” that requires “the nation’s immediate awareness and action”? Why or why not?

Regardless of how you answered those questions, the next step is to find what works for you. Here’s how:

1. Start with another article in the “Being 13” series: “Adults Are Panicked About Teens and Social Media. These Girls Have Advice.” In it, adolescent girls share their best advice for other teenagers — and what they want adults to know, too. Which ideas would you like to try? Start a list.

2. Then, read some or all of these pieces listed below. Though they are addressed to adults, not teenagers, each article offers strategies you can use immediately. As you read, continue to add to your list the ideas you think might be beneficial to try.

What Do You Enjoy That Others Think Is Cringe?

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onlinefreecourse
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What Do You Enjoy That Others Think Is Cringe?

It’s fall. A season that, for some, evokes excessive enthusiasm, to the point that meme accounts have been created to mock a certain type of person who is obsessed with all things autumn — sweaters, the changing leaves and, yes, pumpkin spice lattes.

Are you someone who loves fall? Do you look forward to the return of Starbucks’s pumpkin spice latte every autumn? If yes, do you care that some people think the drink is “cringe”? Or do you love that flavor in spite of its reputation?

And, if not, what is the “pumpkin spice latte” in your life — the coolness of which other people might question, but you love it anyway?

In “The Pumpkin Spice Latte Will Outlive Us All,” Ella Quittner writes about the longevity of the seasonal drink that has found legions of fans, spawned imitators and inspired much commentary about what it says, or doesn’t say, about the people who love it:

Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte, which turned 20 last month, has survived blistering political environments, harrowing global recessions and endless cycles of beverage and diet trends by refusing to be cool. Now, it’s a touchstone of the American palate.

The P.S.L. has evaded irrelevance by appealing to our need for a reliable marker of passing time. It offers a Pavlovian feedback loop: Give up a few dollars, receive instant nostalgia for chilly nights spent curled up watching “Practical Magic,” and a sweet reminder of the approaching holidays.

Before Starbucks unveiled its latte, “pumpkin” simply did not exist as a consumer category at the scale familiar to Americans today, said Erin LaBranche, a senior strategist at the global marketing company R/GA. This past year, pumpkin-flavored products accounted for $787 million in national sales, including pumpkin spice hummus and pumpkin spice deodorant, according to the consumer intelligence company NIQ. Peppermint-flavored products, by comparison, brought in just $494 million in that same period.

While Americans have bought fewer pumpkin products over the last two years, the data company Bloomberg Second Measure reports that, this year, Starbucks’ sales increased by more than 7 percent during the week of the P.S.L.’s eyebrow-raising Aug. 24 debut.

The article continues:

But the pumpkin spice latte was never exactly hip. In fact, its unwillingness to align with the whims of a mercurial pop culture has become integral to its success. Acolytes across the country and world reach for the pie-flavored drink because it forgoes the effort so many consumer products put in to signal sophistication. It’s a seasonal trend, but it is not trendy.

One P.S.L.-drinker commented:

“A lot of people will say it’s a ‘basic’ white girl thing,” said Jennifer Rominger, a public-school teacher in West Texas, of the latte. By the time she procured her first P.S.L. of the season on release day, Ms. Rominger, 38, had already ordered a Halloweentown sweater and made plans to visit her local pumpkin patch for a photo shoot.

“People are throwing around ‘basic’ like it’s derogatory,” she said. “I don’t think it’s the term that appeals to me, but I do fit that stereotype. I go into this persona in the fall because it’s a mood.”

Students, read the entire article and then tell us:

  • What are your thoughts on the pumpkin spice latte and its devoted fan base? Why do you think it has endured for 20 years?

  • What do you think about the idea that the way for something to stand the test of time is to never be cool in the first place? Can you think of anything besides the P.S.L. that has endured as a product, show, genre of music, art form or anything else without ever being seen as trendy or hip?

  • Do you ever find yourself disliking something because too many people like it? What is your experience with this situation? Are you ever on the other side of the equation, not giving up on something after other people claim to have moved on to newer, cooler things? How do you describe being on that side?

  • OK, let’s have it: your list of things you enjoy that other people say are over, cringe, played out or otherwise uncool. How do you defend your favorites to them? What do you wish people knew? And do you ever secretly think that it’s cool to like uncool things?

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

Mastering the Art of Networking: Building Connections That Count

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Mastering the Art of Networking: Building Connections That Count

If you’re in business, you know that people are more likely to do business with someone they know, like, and trust. In today’s interconnected world, networking is an indispensable skill that can help you get business and connect with those you can give your business to. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, venture into entrepreneurship, or simply seek personal growth, networking is the bridge that can get you there. Networking isn’t just about collecting business cards or online connections; it’s about building meaningful relationships that can open doors and create opportunities. Let’s explore the art of networking and discover tips to help you build connections that last and truly count.

What is Networking?

Networking, more so if you want to build lasting connections, is a strategic and intentional effort to form relationships that extend beyond initial encounters. It involves forging genuine and mutually beneficial connections and relationships with individuals, both personally and professionally, that are nurtured over time and offer support to grow in a specific area. Effective networking goes beyond surface-level interactions. Instead, it’s done to create meaningful and enduring rapport. It can be an asset in personal and career development, as strong, lasting connections can open doors, provide valuable insights, and foster a sense of belonging within various like-minded associates and communities.

The Purpose of Networking

Before delving into how to network, it’s crucial to understand its purpose and how you can get the most out of it. It’s important to remember that networking isn’t solely about self-promotion or immediate gains. It’s about creating a mutually beneficial relationship where both parties can offer something valuable. Whether you’re seeking advice, collaboration, mentorship, or career opportunities, having a clear purpose will guide your networking efforts.

The Keys to Good Networking

The keys to effective networking lie in authenticity, active listening and engaging, and a genuine desire to help others. Building trust is critical in business relationships. Additionally, it’s key to be sincere in your interactions and focus on forming meaningful connections rather than simply collecting contacts to add to your phonebook. People want to feel seen and heard and thus actively listen to others’ needs and interests and offer help or support where possible. Another important networking tip is to be consistent in your communication. You want to be the one who takes the initiative, makes the call, follows up, sets up the meeting, and does not expect the other to always initiate contact. Lastly, networking extends beyond immediate gains, so prioritise building long-term connections and relationships.

Top 10 Networking Tips to Build Better Connections

We now know the value of networking and the key things you can do in building these relationships. Below, we look at some top networking tips that can help you forge stronger and more enduring connections to navigate the world of networking with confidence and effectiveness.

Build an Attractive Resumé

Informal settings are the first point of contact between you and a potential network connection. At these events, you have the opportunity to talk about yourself and what you offer, as well as discuss business endeavours. Afterwards, you can present yourself on paper with your resumé. Utilise tools like a Resumé builder to craft a professional and attractive resumé that will stand out and take your career to new heights. Share it easily and confidently with your expanding network and existing contacts knowing it’s an eye-catching second chance to make a solid first impression.

Take it one step further and share your public profile and get noticed by recruiters and employers. This is a great way to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers around the world.

Be Authentic

Authenticity is the cornerstone of effective networking. People are more likely to connect with genuine individuals rather than those who put on an act. It’s also easy to tell when people aren’t being genuine, so be yourself and let your true personality shine through. This will help you build trust, a key component in building those meaningful connections.

Build a Diverse Network

We’re all guilty of sticking to who and what we know in many situations. However, a diverse network in business provides fresh perspectives and opportunities that could otherwise be overlooked. Don’t limit your networking efforts to people within your industry or profession. Expand your circle and reach out to individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, industries, and professional platforms. The broader your network, the more you can learn and grow. You also never know where that winning business opportunity will come from.

Be a Good Listener

Active listening is a key element to building strong connections. Echoing the words of Maya Angelou, people will forget what you did, but they won’t forget how you made them feel. And feeling heard is a desire we all have personally and professionally. Networking isn’t just about talking; it’s about listening. When speaking with others, ask open-ended questions and genuinely listen to their responses. Show interest in their experiences and opinions. Being a good listener not only helps you understand others better but also makes you a more memorable and valuable networker.

Offer Value

Successful networking is a two-way street. It’s a healthy give-and-take where you offer something to your connection and gain something from the relationship as well. Whether it’s sharing your expertise, making introductions, or providing support, offering value strengthens your relationships and makes people more willing to help you in return.

Attend Networking Events

You don’t have to be at every industry and networking event on the calendar but attending networking events, both online and offline, are great ways to meet new people and enlarge your network community. Be strategic in choosing which events you will attend, find and prioritise those related to your field or interests, and try to attend them regularly.

Leverage Social Media

Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram can be powerful tools for networking – when used well. Create a compelling online presence that showcases your expertise and interests. Main professionalism in all you do online. Engage with others by sharing relevant content, commenting on their posts, sharing interesting articles, reports, and thought pieces, and connecting with them.

Cultivate Strong Follow-Up Skills

Meeting new people and building a connection is often the easy part and the first step to building strong networking relationships. To ensure that your connections grow and flourish, practice strong follow-up skills. Send a personalised thank-you message after meeting someone new, call and email and periodically check in with your network to maintain relationships. Don’t leave it to the next chance encounter at an industry event but be intentional.

Practice Patience

Building meaningful connections takes time. Don’t be discouraged by initial setbacks or rejections. Be patient and persistent in your networking efforts. Keep nurturing the relationships you do have, and over time, you’ll see the fruits of your labour.

Get a Mentor

Mentors and advisors can provide invaluable guidance and support in your personal and professional growth. Look for individuals who have achieved what you aspire to accomplish and approach them with a sincere request for mentorship or advice. Know what you want from the mentor-mentee relationship by asking targeted questions, doing the work, having goals, and continually learning.

Mastering the art of networking is a lifelong journey that requires patience, persistence, dedication, and authenticity. Building connections that count involves understanding the purpose of networking, being authentic, offering value, and cultivating a diverse network. Remember that networking is not just about what you can gain but also about what you can contribute. Step out of your comfort zone and meet new people, grab opportunities, and create meaningful relationships that will benefit you personally and professionally.

Show Time!

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Show Time!

Use your imagination to write the opening of a short story or poem inspired by this illustration or, describe a memory from your own life that this image makes you think of.

Tell us in the comments, then read the related article to learn more.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Picture Prompts here.

Word of the Day: ramshackle

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Word of the Day: ramshackle

The word ramshackle has appeared in 62 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on Aug. 6 in “The Fight Over the Dune Shacks of Cape Cod: No Power, No Water — but Eugene O’Neill Was Here” by Jenna Russell:

Dispute about the future of the structures is not new. Originally built to house visitors to a 19th-century Coast Guard life-saving station, where volunteers kept watch for shipwrecked mariners, and later used as shelter by immigrant fishermen, the shacks’ presence has been contentious since the national seashore was created in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.

Dune dwellers led a three-year fight for local approval of the federal preserve 60 years ago, ultimately protecting thousands of acres of pristine coastal wilderness from development. But they soon found their own seasonal retreats at risk, as the government took ownership of the ramshackle structures they had tended for years, and made clear its long-term goal was to remove the structures from the landscape.

Can you correctly use the word ramshackle in a sentence?

Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.

Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.

If you want a better idea of how ramshackle can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.

Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.

The Word of the Day is provided by Vocabulary.com. Learn more and see usage examples across a range of subjects in the Vocabulary.com Dictionary. See every Word of the Day in this column.

Coursera university partners rise in new US college rankings as focus shifts to outcomes 

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Coursera university partners rise in new US college rankings as focus shifts to outcomes 

By Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera

For over a decade, the best universities have partnered with Coursera to help reshape higher education by expanding access and outcomes for learners worldwide. The latest U.S. college rankings reflect this commitment and account for social mobility, educational equity, and student outcomes.

I want to congratulate our partners who were overwhelmingly represented across three leading U.S. college rankings recently released: U.S. News 2024 Best Colleges, Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S., and New York Times College-Access Index. 

2023 U.S. college ranking highlights

  • 59 partners were featured in the 2024 U.S. News 2024 Best Colleges Ranking, with 55% of partners in the top 50.
  • 59 partners featured in the latest WSJ ranking, with 32% of partners in the top 50.
  • 50 partners featured in New York Times’ new College-Access Index, 14% in the top 50.

Our U.S. partners ranked highly in the top 20 of both the U.S. News and WSJ rankings. Princeton University topped both lists, while Stanford University and Yale University placed in the top five. Columbia University rounded off the top 5 in WSJ’s list of best colleges. Several institutions made major gains against the new criteria, further solidifying their groundbreaking progress.

Prioritizing student outcomes

As more students weigh the value and ROI of a college education, this year’s rankings rebalanced key factors. WSJ placed greater emphasis on outcomes, including graduation rates and graduate salaries. 

Advancing social mobility

The latest U.S. News rankings emphasized social mobility and outcomes by measuring first-generation graduation rates, graduate rates across all socioeconomic backgrounds, and increased earning potential. Many of our partners saw significant jumps in the U.S. national university rankings.  

Increasing access for diverse students

Several partners are featured in the New York Times’ College-Access Index, which ranked the most selective U.S. colleges on economic diversity. The ranking analyzed the share of students receiving Pell Grants, federal aid given to students in financial need. 

We are so proud of our partners’ rankings this year, which reflect their incredible work expanding access and increasing attainment in higher education. Together, we’ve empowered more than 129 million learners — from all walks of life and nearly every country in the world — to transform their lives by learning from the best universities. 

Word of the Day: sentience

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Word of the Day: sentience

The word sentience has appeared in 22 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on July 15 in “Can A.I. Invent?” by Steve Lohr:

Dr. Thaler’s patented system has some ingredients similar to those in generative A.I. models like ChatGPT, and others that are not. He describes his system as having the machine equivalent of feelings. It becomes digitally excited, producing a surge of simulated neurotransmitters, when it recognizes useful ideas, setting off “a ripening process, and the most salient ideas survive.”

Dr. Thaler said the ability to recognize and react in that way amounted to sentience, and his generative A.I. system is called DABUS, for Device for the Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Sentience.

Can you correctly use the word sentience in a sentence?

Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.

Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.

If you want a better idea of how sentience can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.

Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.

The Word of the Day is provided by Vocabulary.com. Learn more and see usage examples across a range of subjects in the Vocabulary.com Dictionary. See every Word of the Day in this column.

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