Can you imagine a Gen Alpha walking into an exam center, carrying their essentials in a polybag?

It’s not truly impossible—but it feels like it, and that feeling reflects how much the world has changed from one generation to the next.

We often talk about generational gaps in terms of technology or fashion. But the real difference lies deeper in mindsets, values, and expressions. Let’s unpack how Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha think, act, and show up in the world.

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 Millennials (Born 1981–1996): The Bridge Generation

• Millennials (our parents) are the last generation to experience a world without the internet and the first to adapt to it.
• They are the bridge between analogue and digital, holding on to tradition while adapting to rapid change.
• They experienced the biggest shift—from handwritten letters to emails, floppy disks to Google Docs.
• They valued hustle culture, believing in proving worth through hard work and climbing the ladder one step at a time.

 Gen Z (Born 1997–2012): The Digital Rebels

• Gen Z (we the rebels) grew up with WiFi, smartphones, and social media as the norm.
• Our diaries are stored on laptops. We saw the shift of classrooms to Google Meet (thanks to COVID-19).
• We’re less about formality, more about authenticity—lowercase texts, memes, reels, voice notes.
• We prefer side h stles, freelancing, and creative endeavours over traditional 9–to–5 jobs. We overthink a lot, but we also care deeply.
• We once carried polybags to exam centres, now we opt for stylish, purpose-built exam bags.

Gen Alpha (Born 2013 onwards): The AI Natives

• The youngest of us—still in school, but already influencers, YouTubers, app designers.
• They communicate through voice notes, emojis, and AI-generated content.
• Their baby pictures were likely on Instagram before they could speak.
• They'll enter a world of virtual classrooms, remote jobs, and facial recognition logins.
• They may never know the struggle of a torn polybag in the rain—they’ll carry sleek iPads in smart sleeves.

The Real Gap: Thought, Not Tools

Our parents went through immense struggles, and naturally, they want us to live an authentic life rooted in values and traditions.

But we, on the other hand, seek independence—a life driven by our own choices, on our own terms. This difference in desires creates an invisible wall between a Millennial father and his Gen Z daughter.

It’s not just rebellion—it’s about a clash of thoughts. Each differing perspective becomes a spark, slowly widening the gap.

A student with a polybag isn’t just outdated fashion—it’s a symbol of simplicity, struggle, and survival. That image may seem alien to Gen Alpha, but it's a reminder of how far we’ve come.

But in this race of evolving expressions, are we also losing something? Like the rawness of struggle, the power of patience, or the beauty of less?

🧠 What Can We Learn Across Generations?

Rather than mocking or idealising the past or future, perhaps we need to:

• Let Millennials teach us resilience and balance.
• Let Gen Z show us authenticity and creativity.
• Let Gen Alpha remind us that change is constant, but values must be chosen consciously.

Because ultimately, it’s not about who carries what to the exam centre—it’s about what mindset they carry into life.

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Final Thought

Next time you see a child with a fancy backpack or a student voice-noting homework instead of writing it down, don’t just compare. Pause. Reflect. Learn.

Each generation has its own polybag—some are made of plastic, some are digital, and some are invisible. But they all carry hopes, pressures, and a desire to be understood.

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