As young women in 2026, we are constantly trying to keep up with the social, economic, and political issues shaping our world. Our minds are always moving at a thousand miles per hour, and the constant flood of new headlines can make it feel impossible to stay informed. If you feel that way, know that you are not alone. A generation of girls just like you is asking the same question: What do I do?
I could give you the easy, two-word answer: educate yourself. But what does that actually mean? The phrase is thrown around so often that it’s hard to define what educating yourself entails, or even where to start. In my opinion, staying educated has no single formula, instruction manual, or timeline. Instead, I like to think of this process as a tree.
First, you plant the seed. You acknowledge your curiosity, step out of your comfort zone, and begin seeking information. As you continue to learn, your tree of knowledge will grow. Eventually, you become more confident in your understanding, more comfortable taking action, and better equipped to help others plant their own seeds.
Even with this tree analogy, you may still be wondering where to start. As I previously stated, educating yourself is a process, and more specifically, a never-ending one. You will never know everything, and that’s okay. What really matters is your willingness to learn.
One of the easiest ways to begin learning is through conversation. Speak with your peers, professors, parents, and even people you’ve never met before. Listen to their experiences, ask questions, and take note of how their perspectives differ from or align with your own. You won’t agree with everyone you meet, but exposing yourself to unfamiliar worldviews challenges you to think critically about your own and helps you better understand others.
Next, make an effort to follow the news. While the media has been under fire in recent years for misinformation, bias, and other ethical dilemmas, journalism remains one of the most important sources of information we have. Even just scrolling through a news outlet’s website and reading a few headlines can help you stay informed.
Comparing how different outlets cover the same story can also help you recognize bias. Rather than accepting every story at face value, take the time to check the facts, look for sources, and determine opinion from true reporting.
Last, but certainly not least, turn to books. Whatever format you enjoy, whether that be paperback, audiobook, hardcover, or e-book. Books are the foundation of lifelong learning. Reading expands your vocabulary, strengthens your writing skills, and improves your overall ability to articulate and express your thoughts.
Books allow you to dive deeper into topics that interest you while exposing you to a wide range of perspectives and ideas you may not have considered before. You do not have to start with a complicated textbook, heavy literature, or texts littered with legal jargon. Rather, you should find something that draws you in and makes you excited to keep reading. The more you read, the more your tree will grow.
It can be easy to want to ignore the difficult things happening around us, but even a little effort can help you gain confidence in your beliefs, identity, and voice.
You don’t have to know everything or have all the answers to get started; all it takes is a little curiosity to make a big difference.
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