Dear Future Students: Develop Your Perspective

As an education major, I am constantly thinking about the future generation of students. Not only am I asking myself if I will become the educator they need, but I also ask if I will really have the time to talk to them about the small things in college. This is where this new series comes in. 

Whether you are a first-year college student, an incoming college student, or an upperclassman looking back, I hope this series can be something that shares more information in regards to college life. 

As you enter college, you are starting a new chapter of your life famously called adulthood. Luckily for college students, we aren’t typically exposed to the “real world” until we graduate—however, we are still adults and we do still gain the right to vote. 

With this power comes responsibility though, and it is now upon your shoulders to decide how you want to use your vote. College is the first time in your life where you are living beyond your parents’ household and you have the opportunity to escape their influence. 

While you may decide your parents’ opinions are your opinions, college is a great place to explore the opposing side and challenge your beliefs. College allows you to meet people from different backgrounds and experiences, thus allowing you to paint a bigger picture of the world. 

Even as a commuter student, your opportunities to become politically involved expand. Commuters might not feel the same freedom as their on-campus peers, but they are given the same on-campus opportunities. 

For myself, politics haven’t ever truly captured my attention. However, college has impacted my political leniency. It is hard to truly accept the impact your parents have on your opinions until you begin to think beyond their considerations

It is important to note that just because you go to college does not mean you have to change your political philosophy. While Millikin is liberal, there is still a conservative presence on campus. 

The most important part when it comes to deciding on how you will vote is becoming informed. Professors and classmates are great sources of information when expanding your horizons. 

Learning how to recognize fake news sites is crucial. Learning the difference between fake news and political bias on the news is also a distinction you need to make. If you want to truly become informed, learn how to watch both conservative and liberal news organizations instead of just watching one. 

Understanding your sources of information is one of the hardest but most important aspects of becoming politically independent, and it’s okay to ask questions along the way.