It’s that time of the year again—back to school season. Whether you’ve started your new semester already or are starting soon, you might be searching for new ways to be engaged outside of the “virtual” classroom, both politically and civically.
Here are five ways to be politically involved during college, even if your semester is virtual.
Read, read, read
An important part of being politically engaged is being informed about what’s happening currently. Stay on top of the news as much as you can, as long as it isn’t affecting your mental health. Reading up on the news is an effective way to learn new things about the current political climate daily. Another good place to start is our blog. You’ll be able to learn about politics, activism, advocacy, and much more. Maybe you want to learn more about local politics or you just want recommendations for books on leadership, whatever the case may be, our blog has resources to help you!
Volunteer
While you’re taking online classes, you might find yourself searching for more opportunities to get involved with elected officials or candidates. There are many different ways you can go about this. You can look into different internship opportunities with elected officials or you can start volunteering on a campaign for a candidate you feel optimistic about or for a cause you care deeply about. Volunteering or interning is a great way to gain valuable experience that will help shape your future career path.
Become a digital advocate
One of the benefits of the growing use of digital platforms is digital advocacy. Becoming a digital advocate is a great way to make a difference in your community. The best part is that you can get involved with digital advocacy at any time! You can contact your local elected officials about policies you are interested in, speak out on social media about those policies, or educate others about how those policies affect them. Join us on February 2nd for our national day of advocacy where you’ll get the chance to develop your digital advocacy skills.
Join a student organization
While many students have a virtual college experience this semester, clubs and organizations are still zooming right along! This means that you still have the option of joining a campus club or student organization of your interest. Make sure to check out your college’s website to learn more about what organizations are available. Also, follow the organizations on social media if possible. For example, if your college campus has an IGNITE chapter, you can become a member and surround yourself with like-minded individuals who are also passionate about political and civic engagement. You can also consider running for student government or becoming active in political clubs on campus. Both of these options give you a taste of what elected office looks like and may put you in contact with real-life elected officials.
Make sure to vote
Whether it’s the general election or a local election, voting has the power to impact the lives of many. If you’re eligible to vote, make sure you exercise your right and register to vote if you haven’t already. Voting can seem like a confusing process, but we’ve got resources to help make it easier. Learn answers to common questions about voting, how to vote, and learn more about the importance of voting here. Don’t worry if you’re unable to vote; you can still help!
Getting politically engaged at a young age might seem like a daunting process, but the IGNITE community is here to help you on your journey. Remember what your goals are, what you’re passionate about, and why you would like to be politically engaged in the first place. At the end of the day, it’s all about making a difference!