When thinking of what a “college student” is, many things come to mind. I get this image of a central figure, a person around the age of 20. There are mugs of coffee and energy drink cans scattered around them. Books, word documents and folders overflowing with papers surround the person, and they are trying to complete their tasks in a timely manner.
This person is situated near a window, in an on-campus residence hall. There is some sort of campus event going on outside, visible from the window. The person has plans to go out once they turn in their assignment weirdly due at 4 p.m. and not 11:59 p.m.
I invite you to also conjure up an image of this “college student” — perhaps using your own past and present experiences. Now, consider the “college student” as a temporary role we take in life. What is its purpose? What is its inherent purpose, outside of the plan or potential? What is its purpose right now?
I believe that a majority of our lives as college students are largely focused on ourselves and the bubble of things around us. It isn’t bad, necessarily, to focus on yourself, getting an education, feeding yourself, cleaning the house or having a social life. During college, our peripheries are packed full by the Canvas inbox of assignments, calendar invites, extracurricular involvements or meetings with friends. We learn about our passions, form our identities and prepare to enter “the real world.”
My critique, however, is that the “real world” is right now, and the “real world” is not your lab report due next Thursday. You have a greater responsibility, right here and right now. You have influence, agency and power right now. Your decisions as a college student hold weight.
If we postpone thinking about “the real world” until we have a sheet of paper certifying we graduated from Auburn University, we are missing out. You are not in a “pre” phase of life. There are hurtful things around you. There is injustice. There are barriers. There are problems. There is also beauty. There is inspiration. There are peacemakers. There is possibility.
If you don’t notice or deeply feel those things every once in a while, you are too focused on the space in front of you. Empathy is what fuels a good nation, and that doesn’t start when you walk across a stage in a cap and gown.
You should be encountering things that propel you into a place of heightened responsibility, stewardship and action. You should have emotional stake in the current events and decisions of your country. You should understand the power of your voice and your duty to use it in the right forums.
There are things you can do right now to make a better nation, even if it’s very localized, such as educating yourself or serving people around you. You have the opportunity to speak your mind about the truth and needs of your country. You have a hand in solving social issues. You have economic responsibility. You can play into or against consumerism. You have pathways and connections to decision-makers.
Now more than ever, on Nov. 5, you have the chance to play a pivotal role in voting for the leader of your country.
Our position as college students is one of privilege and potential. Don’t waste it by only going to parties, doing homework or spending afternoons in coffee shops. Be an active observer and a critical thinker. Let those things lead you to a greater perspective and motivation.
It’s so easy to spend our time as college students dancing along the surface and living day-to-day, but every once in a while, we need to transcend the surface. We need to raise our eyes, look around us and get our head in the clouds.
The clouds hover over everything. They affect everyone. They reflect the sun, and they draw other people’s eyes upward. We need to do that too. It is only when we get our eyes off ourselves that we start to make a real difference in the world around us.
So, when we "get in the clouds," we widen our periphery. We see a larger perspective. We consider things that affect everyone, not just things that affect ourselves. We observe, we dream and we aspire to make a positive impact. That's the very headspace we need to be in come this Nov. 5.
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Sami Grace Donnelly, senior in English literature, began writing for the Plainsman in the fall of 2021. She has served as a columnist, writer abroad, Opinion Editor, managing editor and is now Editor-in-Chief of the Plainsman.
