How we teach young people to wait | Sumayah Mittal | TEDxStrawberry Fields High School

The talk explores how constantly telling young people they will “do great things” in the future can unintentionally teach them to wait rather than act. Drawing on psychological research and a personal experience, it examines how expectations, future-oriented thinking, and the need for permission can shape young people’s sense of agency. The speaker argues that being a changemaker does not require extraordinary achievements, but begins with small, deliberate actions in the present. The talk ultimately challenges young people to replace “I’m going to…” with “What can I do today?” Sumayah Mittal is a recent IB Diploma graduate and Valedictorian from Strawberry Fields High School, where she served as School Captain. She will be pursuing Psychology with Education at University College London. Passionate about psychology, education, and youth leadership, she has published cognitive science research with IEEE and founded educational initiatives that empower young people through critical thinking and leadership. In her TEDx talk, she explores how the language we use to describe young people can shape their sense of agency and their willingness to create meaningful change. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx