Recently, I had the privilege of moderating a remarkable panel discussion at DSB International School on Empowering Individual Success. The conversation was rich with insights, leaving the audience—and myself—deeply inspired. It highlighted not just the varied definitions of success, but also the deeply personal journeys that lead each individual to achieve it.

Defining Success: No One-Size-Fits-All: One of the key takeaways from the discussion was that success doesn’t come in a singular form. Each panelist had a different perspective on what it means to "succeed," based on their experiences and personal challenges. Whether it's a student excelling academically and in extracurriculars, or an educator shaping inclusive learning environments, success is a spectrum.

Simar Narang, a Grade 11 student, shared how she balances academics, sports, and internships, all while aspiring to become a doctor. Her story is a testament to the importance of focus and perseverance at a young age. As Simar spoke, it became clear that student success today is about more than just grades—it's about managing various pursuits while staying true to one’s dreams.

Resilience: The Bedrock of Success: Another powerful voice on the panel was Calvin Eden, a youth development speaker whose life took a drastic turn at the age of 15. From personal tragedy to public triumph, Calvin spoke about the importance of resilience—how young people can cultivate it and use it as a foundation for their success. His words reminded us that life's setbacks are often the seeds for our greatest comebacks.

Calvin's story resonated with the audience, especially in today's world where mental health challenges are becoming increasingly prevalent. His message was clear: building resilience isn't just an option; it's a necessity for those wanting to achieve lasting success.

Leadership and Mentorship: Phil Whitehead, an education and arts consultant with over 25 years of experience, brought invaluable insights from his diverse background. Having led international research programs and provided professional development in schools across the globe, Phil stressed how mentorship and creative learning environments can be pivotal in shaping students' success. He emphasized the importance of fostering not only academic achievement but also social impact through arts and extracurricular activities. Phil's work with rural arts projects and international schools highlighted how these experiences build well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the complexities of today’s world.

Inclusion: Empowering Every Individual: Howard Gee and Tejal Bhatt both brought crucial perspectives on inclusivity in education. Howard, as an advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), stressed the importance of schools recognizing and supporting students from marginalized communities. Tejal, an international educational leader, further emphasized that inclusive environments are the foundation for all students to thrive, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds.
Their contributions sparked a critical dialogue around how schools can better identify and nurture the unique potential of every student, ensuring that no one is left behind in their pursuit of success.

Innovation in Learning: Dr. Anushi Divan, with her extensive background in biotechnology and education, shed light on how innovative teaching practices can empower students to take ownership of their learning journeys. Inquiry-based learning, she explained, fosters curiosity and critical thinking, both essential for students to succeed academically and personally. Her focus on fostering a mindset of innovation in students was a perfect capstone to a discussion centered on empowering young minds for the future.

Final Thoughts: Success is a Collective Effort: At the heart of the discussion was the realization that empowering individual success is not just about personal ambition—it’s a collective effort. It involves parents, educators, mentors, and the wider community all coming together to support and guide each person on their unique journey.

As a moderator, I was reminded that success is deeply personal, but it flourishes best in environments where students feel supported, challenged, and encouraged. It’s in these inclusive, resilient, and innovative spaces that students can not only dream but also realize their dreams.
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I left the panel feeling inspired by the stories and insights shared, and with a renewed commitment to nurturing environments where every individual can succeed, in their own way, at their own pace.
Let’s continue to empower one another and work collectively to create the kind of success that matters—not just to individuals, but to society as a whole.

​Jia Tolentino’s writing feels like magic. She has this way of spinning self-truths that leave you no choice but to follow her down the rabbit hole. And as you do, you’re peeling away the layers of your own identity—layers you probably hadn’t thought much about before. It’s almost like you’re forced to confront the version of yourself that’s been shaped by late-stage capitalism, whether you want to or not. Her writing is funny, insightful, lyrical, and at times, pretty terrifying, all in the same breath. It makes you rethink not just your place in the world but the systems around you that you didn’t even realize were holding you captive.
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One of the most mind-blowing things she tackles in Trick Mirror is how the internet has completely redefined our sense of self. Think about it: we're now living in a world where "selfhood" has become the ultimate commodity. On platforms like Instagram and Twitter, we’re not just hanging out—we're performing. As Jia says, you can’t just be visible online by existing; you have to "act" to be seen. And the craziest part? The more you perform, the more you feel like you need to keep up this online persona. We’ve become addicted to the mirage of this “better” version of ourselves, and the internet keeps egging us on, dangling that perfected image just out of reach.

Tolentino’s critique goes beyond just our Instagram habits though—she digs deep into how self-optimization has become our new normal. Take her thoughts on Sweetgreen and the Barre workout craze. She hilariously points out how the person who eats that $12 salad needs to finish it in 10 minutes so they can get back to the job that lets them afford the salad in the first place. And Barre? It’s less about preparing you for a marathon and more about prepping you for the non-stop treadmill of modern life. Essentially, these "wellness" trends are less about health and more about helping you survive a world that demands you be constantly “on.”

Then there’s her take on how the internet messes with our sense of identity. It distorts how we see ourselves and others, making us place way too much value on our own opinions, while simultaneously cheapening our understanding of community and solidarity. Instead of connecting authentically, we get sucked into opposition, into "performing" for an invisible audience. Have you ever posted something and thought, "Who am I even doing this for?" That’s exactly what she’s talking about. It’s like we’re all trying to outdo one another in this game we didn’t even realize we signed up for.

But it’s not just the internet or wellness culture that Tolentino questions. She also has a sharp eye on how modern feminism sometimes misses the mark. She argues that today’s feminist narratives often prioritize the individual over the collective—celebrating personal success without addressing the larger systems of oppression that still exist. As Jia puts it, “the problem is that a feminism that prioritizes the individual will always, at its core, be at odds with a feminism that prioritizes the collective.” It’s a thought-provoking take that challenges the idea that just because one woman wins, it’s a win for all women.

What’s so refreshing about Tolentino is that she doesn’t hand out easy solutions. She’s not here to sell you the latest self-help hack or tell you how to fix your life. Instead, she offers clarity on the chaos, giving us a way to better understand how messed up things are without sugarcoating it. And she does all this with such humor and ease that you’re left both laughing and thinking deeply at the same time.
In her book, she leaves us with this sobering thought: “We are asked to understand our lives in such impossibly convoluted conditions.” It’s a powerful line that sums up the heart of her work. She’s pointing out that the world we live in is way more complicated than we often acknowledge, and trying to make sense of it all is an almost impossible task. And while she doesn’t give us a roadmap for escape, she invites us to sit with that discomfort, to question the narratives we’ve been fed, and to start thinking more critically about the systems shaping our lives.
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In a time when we’re bombarded with people telling us how to fix ourselves, Tolentino stands out because she doesn’t try to fix anything. Instead, she hands us a mirror and asks, "What do you see?" It’s up to us to decide if we want to look deeper. And honestly, after reading her work, you probably will.
So, if you’ve ever caught yourself wondering if you're really living outside the system or just playing right into it, Jia Tolentino’s writing will hit home. She’ll make you laugh, cringe, and reexamine those things you thought you knew. But most importantly, she’ll leave you with a sense of curiosity about the world around you—and yourself—like only the best writers can.