In an era dominated by artificial intelligence, rapid media cycles, and constant debates over which college majors are actually “worth it,” it’s easy to feel like humanities and student media are being pushed into the background. With the rise of clickbait and algorithms tailored to your interests, student publications often get overlooked and under-read.
Student journalism, however, remains one of the most vital forms of media we have today.
From historical pioneers like The Dartmouth, the first college newspaper published in 1839, to one of the most popular today, The Cornell Daily Sun, student outlets have always held unique power. Student journalists have something reporters don’t: an inside connection within the student community. Because student writers live, study, and walk the same halls as their readers, they’re inherently more in touch with what their peers care about than an established journalist looking in from the outside.
Big Headlines, Bigger Impacts
If you ever doubt the real-world impact of student reporting, look no further than history to see how college newsrooms have held massive power structures accountable.
The first story that comes to mind happened in 2022, when the Stanford Daily’s student reporters broke a groundbreaking story exposing Stanford’s president, Marc Tessier-Lavigne, for engaging in research misconduct and data manipulation across several published papers. Their investigative work triggered an independent university investigation that ultimately led to his resignation.
A year later, The Daily Northwestern student journalists published a detailed, anonymous report in which the former football player spoke out about the systemic hazing within the university’s football program. The national backlash that followed led to the firing of the university’s longtime head football coach, Pat Fitzgerald.
Lastly around the same time in 2022, The Yale Daily News, had reporters thoroughly investigate a punitive mental health leave policy that forced struggling students off campus instead of offering them support. The exposure led to a federal class action lawsuit and forced major policy changes regarding how the institution handles student mental health care.
These cases prove that student journalism isn’t just about holding administration, faculty, and institutional leaders accountable; it’s about holding campus culture accountable. When harmful behaviors or outdated traditions become normalized over time, individual students often feel too intimidated to speak up alone for fear of outrage or social backlash. Student media provides a unified voice, a platform where writers can come together to advocate for the silent majority.
Pencils over Python
When I first arrived on campus at UCSB, joining publications clubs felt out of my scope. As a Computer Engineering major, my brain felt constantly wired toward STEM subjects like physics and coding. Whenever I had free time, though, I reflected on my high school days, when English and History classes were most interesting, and on working on our school’s yearbook; I knew I needed a community to support those interests.
Stepping out of my familiar territory led me to Her Campus, and later to the Daily Nexus, which completely transformed my perspective.
I quickly realized you don’t need to be an English or Communications major to benefit from student journalism. It is incredibly valuable for students of all majors, regardless of their future career trajectory, to step into reporting. Learning how to conduct an interview, investigate a lead, critically analyze information, and articulate current issues are skills that serve you anywhere.
As readers, it’s all too easy to flip straight to the lighthearted sections of the paper, like the daily crossword, the fun lifestyle pieces, or the astrology horoscopes. And while those sections are great, we also need to read the heavier stories. Engaging with coverage that doesn’t directly affect us helps us build empathy, stay educated on global and local struggles, and speak up for those who need support. An advocate’s work doesn’t end when an article is published; it just begins.
My experience with Her Campus played a particularly special role in my journalism journey. Even though Her Campus operates mainly as a blog-style platform, it offers an essential, supportive space for college students, especially women, to express their authentic thoughts, share personal experiences, and refine their voices.
The bottom line
Entering a newsroom or publication environment can feel intimidating, but joining clubs and organizations like Her Campus offers a welcoming space to grow as a writer. Being surrounded by an encouraging group of girls who are always kind, supportive, and ready to offer constructive feedback whenever I needed help made me want to keep writing. That kind of mentorship and community is the backbone of modern student media. It builds confident, capable writers who aren’t afraid to use their voices.
Whether you’re writing hard-hitting investigative pieces or personal lifestyle essays, student media reminds us that our words carry weight. No matter what major is on your diploma, taking the time to write, read, and engage with student journalism is one of the most impactful things you can do in college.