Today’s political, social, and economic climate can be difficult to follow, and recent tragedies have also made current events hard to swallow. It is easy and tempting to ignore the news, shut off your phone, and live in ignorant bliss. But we have a free press for many reasons, one of which is to inform and educate the masses. As busy college students, reading lengthy pieces about current events may be low on your list of priorities, but there are more efficient ways to be in the know. Here are some ways to stay informed even during hectic times in the semester.
One of the easiest ways to get access to news is by activating the news app on your phone. Most phones have some sort of news feature incorporated, making it easy to follow reliable sources that will update you on current events as they happen. This feature is great because you can receive notifications right on your lock screen, making them impossible to ignore. Following only one or two sources is a good start, but it could lead to a skewed sense of what is going on in the world due to the biases of different publications. The more variety you have in the sources you follow will lead to a more well-rounded view of current events. Your phone’s news feature makes this challenge a lot easier.
Most newspapers and magazines have a newsletter that arrives in your inbox every day or week, containing a brief overview of what has happened around the world. The New York Times’ Morning Briefing is one example. The publication provides a concise breakdown of current events, with links to full articles if you are interested in learning more. The email is sent every weekday and it is a great way to be productive while you scroll through your phone in bed in the morning. You can sign up here.
Podcasts are one of the most efficient ways to gain access to quality news. Put it on while you walk to class and it will not only educate you, but it will warm up your brain so you are alert and ready to go by the time you get to class. You can fit podcasts into almost any part of your day, making it the ideal tool for multitasking. At the gym or on the bus, podcasts are a convenient way to make the most of your travel time!
Sometimes, though, the best way to stay informed is through old-fashioned newspapers and magazines. This may seem irrelevant to you in the digital age, but often print news can be the most reliable source. If you get in the habit of unplugging for a while and sitting down with a newspaper or magazine, you might fight that you actually enjoy learning about current events during your downtime.
No matter how you fit it into your schedule, it is important to stay aware of what is happening in your area and in the world. Reading your school newspaper is a great start, where you can hear about current events from the perspectives of your peers.
Although it might seem overwhelming and challenging at first, knowledge of current events will allow you to form your own opinions and broaden your worldview.
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