Gen Z students need to get over their fear of phone calls

Only this year, it's even more onerous than usual for teachers.

- VICTORIA RICHARDS

Because now they're having to coach kids who fail to make the required grades for their chosen universities on how to make phone calls during clearing.

Despite Gen Z being the “most online” generation so far – and God help us when it's the turn of Gen Alpha... - this current cohort of wannabe adults are so frightened of making an actual real-life phone call to Ucas, the higher education admissions service that helps universities fill up remaining spaces on courses, that schools are having to offer workshops on how to do it.

According to reports, schools have been holding “basic phone skills” sessions - including mock interviews and calls - to help teenagers navigate the process.

It comes after research shows Gen Z relies on texting or sending voice notes, rather than having actual conversations on the phone - and almost a quarter of 18- to 34-year-olds admit to never picking up calls.

What will those Ucas-friendly workshops entail? How to say "hello" rather than asking "hey, u up"? "I'm calling to discuss my options" and not "hbu"? "I'd like to negotiate my offer" to replace "wdym"?

I know, I know, I sound like Mother Time; some ancient crone sitting in the corner and bemoaning “the yoof of today”. But I am despairing about the younger generation's lack of... well, getup-and-go, I have to admit. I've witnessed it myself - in the workplace.