Emails may feel like ancient technology compared to the fast-paced world of DMs, texts, and Snap Streaks, but let’s get real: they’re not going anywhere, especially when it comes to school, work, and professional communication.

Saint Stephen’s students, like many high schoolers, are churning out emails that are often a confusing mess of slang and brevity, missing the mark on what it means to communicate effectively in a formal setting.

“There’s nothing that irritates me more than getting an email from a student who can’t even address me by name,” Upper School Spanish Teacher Sharon Galligan said regarding student-to-teacher email correspondence.

“If you’re expecting me to respond to you at midnight, you better have the courtesy to at least write a subject line,” Galligan said.

For Mrs. Galligan, this issue is a daily occurrence.  She’s received hundreds of messages from students who seem to confuse their teacher for their friend.

It’s time to face the truth—our generation’s email game needs some serious work, and it’s high time we address it.

In the Guardian story  Does Generation Z Know How to Email Properly? Poppy Noor explains that the struggle to master email etiquette is a real issue. Noor highlights that many young people are confused when it comes to communicating in a professional manner, often resulting in poorly written, unclear, or inappropriate emails.  This may stem from Gen Z’s frequent engagement with platforms that encourage short, casual language.

For many high school students, the lack of formality in communications with teachers looks like this: You’re working on history homework, but you forget the specific assignment.  So what do you do?  Easy: You email your teacher and say, “Hey, what are we doing again?”

A few minutes later, you receive a less-than-enthusiastic reply.  Why? Because your message is impolite, unspecific, and unhelpful. It’s like showing up to a formal dinner in jeans and a T-shirt, and then expecting to be treated like a VIP.

So, how can Gen Z bridge this gap and elevate their email game? The solution lies in mastering a few simple rules of etiquette.

By elevating our email game, we can prove our generation can master more than just the latest TikTok trends. Emails may not be as fun as Snapchat, but they’re part of adulting, and mastering these dos and don’ts will will make a lasting impression in your academic and professional life.