Political apathy among college students threatens the possibility of social and community change. Maintaining personal political consciousness is not only a vital civic duty, but also essential for creating progress, especially in the most local contexts.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, increasingly heated political debates and ideological polarization have left many feeling overwhelmed and at a loss as to how to decide where they stand. I feel that I cannot participate in elections.
Navigating the current political climate is extremely difficult, especially for those who don’t interact with politics on a daily basis. Finding a way to rise above the noise of other people’s opinions and establish even basic news knowledge can seem insurmountable.
A common development that influences the political engagement of college students and Gen Z is a fatalistic outlook that one’s position or level of consciousness does not influence one’s personal life or future.
Political fatalism is rooted in the recognition that change is unattainable due to systemic corruption and therefore individual actions, including voting and political engagement, are ultimately futile. However, this approach only perpetuates the very cycle the individual is trying to stop.
The constant bombardment of information through internet access and the general hyperawareness that encompasses learning at the university level both contribute to students’ disillusionment with the political system.
According to a research study conducted by the Berkeley Youth Institute, “Many young voters share the belief that a divided and dysfunctional system of government is unable to address the critical challenges weighing on their generation. “It seems like there are.”
Voter apathy also stems from this predetermined, fatalistic mindset, that one vote or general political engagement is not important enough to drive real change. According to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 14 million registered voters never cast a ballot in the 2020 election, with 18% claiming they felt their vote would not make a difference.
That college students have some of the most malleable minds in society, and that they believe they will shape the direction of political engagement for decades to come. If you choose not to vote because you think voting won’t accomplish anything, you’re reinforcing the reality that voting doesn’t actually accomplish anything.
A large proportion of college students are also first-time voters and need support in navigating and understanding the voting process beyond registration. The university provides civic engagement and voting information that students can access through university library resources to gain more political insight.
Despite this widespread negative perception, political interactions remain crucial in determining laws that directly impact college students. Issues such as tuition and loan policies can be affected by voter turnout and student advocacy efforts.
A key objective driving student votes to the Biden-Harris administration was the creation of debt relief programs for loan borrowers and a general focus on student aid for higher education, an effort opposed by The camp was largely lacking.
However, political engagement does not have to start on a larger scale. The local, social, and community issues that drive motivation for political engagement can be as important as electoral politics.
Voting in favor of legislation that benefits causes such as local public transportation like Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or speaking out at a Board of Trustees meeting to advocate for improvements to public education in your district. It can likewise benefit the surrounding community and encourage more immediate change in that person’s community.
Being well-informed about where you can get news and political information is also important to accurately understanding the political landscape. Staying away from platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X is a step in the right direction for more reliable information.
Utilizing nonpartisan news organizations such as the Associated Press and the Texas Tribune not only provides reliable, unbiased information for students looking to rediscover their political interests, but also helps them stay informed. It can also be a motivator.
According to a report by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, “Rather than a one-size-fits-all agreement, media literacy uses a process of logic (…) The media literacy debate is based on the idea of living in a country that values pluralism. It is a good practice for
By staying informed and politically engaged, students can bring about meaningful change in the policies that affect their daily lives and their futures. Being a registered voter is the most important part of staying politically conscious because it provides you with the greatest opportunity to lead change.
Getting involved in local politics can be an important stepping stone for students to become more politically involved. Addressing community issues has direct results, reducing feelings of fatalism and instead increasing momentum for participation.
Political awareness and engagement remain fundamental in driving change toward common needs and issues that arise in college student life. Students who understand the political landscape can foster meaningful progress and influence policies that directly impact their educational opportunities and futures.
