It’s 2017 and you’re in college. You consider yourself educated. But do you really know what’s going on in the world today? (Try this weekly 5-question quiz from PBS to find out!)
It can feel overwhelming to try to keep up with current events–you’re busy, the news can be depressing, and there’s so many sources competing for your attention. But in the era of “fake news” and intense divides across the nation and the world, it is important to be as well-informed as possible. And that information doesn’t have to come from sitting down with the newspaper or watching the 5pm newscast; it can be quick and easy to get your daily dose of information.
Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
1. Subscribe to an email news briefing
Most of the major news providers offer some sort of email subscription newsletter. They are free and delivered right to your inbox daily, weekly, or in whichever increment you choose. My personal favorite is the New York Times Morning Briefing–it’s short and sweet but contains links to full stories if you want to read more–but check out a couple of sites to find the one you like best.
2. NPR
If you are worried about spending a lot of time getting your news, this is an ideal solution for you. Download the NPR app onto your phone (for iOS or Android) and tap the “Newscast” button. You’ll get to hear a short news update (it’s almost always less than 5 minutes), and it is updated every hour. Work this short newscast into your daily routine to get a quick update every day. The bonus? You can easily listen while you do something else, like while you make your breakfast or do your makeup in the morning.
3. Social media
Most, if not all, credible news sources have social media accounts. This is a super easy way to introduce current events into your daily life (we know you’ll be scrolling through Facebook anyway, don’t even deny it). You don’t have to read every article or watch every video that is posted, but even seeing the headlines can help you get a good idea of what’s going on.
4. Don’t forget about local news
It is very easy to just focus on national or world news as the pinnacle of importance, but don’t forget that all news starts out as a local story somewhere. Knowing what is going on in your community is important and often overlooked, so check out your local newspaper from time to time.