Introduction
Going off to college is stressful and overwhelming, but learning how to be more civically engaged doesn’t have to be. Whether you have a few hours or a few minutes between assignments, here are three simple ways and action steps to be more civically engaged on your campus.
Method #1
While there are many things you can do to stay civically engaged when you’re on campus, one easy way is to look for student organizations that focus on civic engagement.
Typically, colleges have a club fair at the beginning of the semester where new and returning students can find community. Going to these fairs gives you a chance to scope out what these organizations do and where you envision yourself the most. Many organizations promote civic engagement, such as college chapters of political parties, nonprofits, volunteer groups, and student councils. The best thing about these clubs is that they typically have an Instagram and LinkedIn for you to follow– make sure to connect!
Start off with going to their welcome meetings, introduce yourself to members, be yourself, and also leave a good impression. Pro Tip: Stay involved with their meetings and activities and help with projects that meet the club goals. For example, help student council members advocate for change on campus by starting petitions or writing to college administration.
Method #2
Another way you can stay engaged as a student can also serve as a way to break your campus bubble: volunteer in your school’s local community.
Check in with professors, friends, student clubs, and academic departments for resources on where to find volunteer opportunities. You can also check with public libraries in your area, as well as online on websites like Idealist or your city or county government’s website. Chances are, there will be a range of opportunities to choose from, be they food drives, clothing drives, voter registration and canvassing efforts, and much more. Not only will you be helping out and advancing a cause that matters to you, you will also get to know people from your university’s local community and better understand the issues directly affecting them.
Method #3
Finally, you can also ensure that you and others around you are well educated on policy stances, current news, and more. You can educate yourself in your extracurricular time by conducting research or joining your school’s student newspaper. Both of these methods allow you to gain more knowledge on issues and current events while being an active participant in your community.
If you don’t have time outside class, you could take courses that cover issues you’re interested in. This allows you to gain insight on different policies and perspectives as part of your academic career. You can also learn a lot by engaging with your community. Talk with friends, professors, and people living and working in your campus neighborhood or city. This also allows you to encourage others to be involved and be more civically engaged, too. Lastly, don’t miss out on opportunities like open discussions and speaker events provided by your campus and community to learn from various perspectives.
Conclusion
Getting civically engaged on campus does not require hours of dedication. Whether it is joining a student club, volunteering in your community over the weekend, or simply staying informed through independent research, every action counts. You don’t have to do them all at once– if anything, it’s good to start small. Pick one of the three or come up with an idea of your own to implement this coming semester, and see your engagement grow from there.