We've all received those ten word news alerts on our phones throughout the day. But how many times have you actually clicked on the headline and read the entirety of the article? The news is, and always will be, an essential part of how we see the rest of the world. In order to forge a healthy path for ourselves, we as millennials must first make strides to better understand the world we live in now.
Most likely you’re like me and either don’t feel you have the time to read the news habitually, or just forget about it. Well I have been working hard to get rid of this habit over the past couple of years, and here are ten reasons why you should do the same:
1. So you can increase your academic success
I guarantee every single one of your professors consistently keeps up with the news. Not only this, but I'm sure they read every article in full so they understand all sides of the story. I've had more than a few times where a professor will apply classroom concepts to current event, no matter what subject. News spreads across every single discipline in the book. Keeping up with the news increases your likelihood to both understand class material and enjoy what you’re learning by making it applicable to the real world.
2. So you can develop your own unique and informed opinions and ideas
It’s easy to get caught up in your day-to-day bubble. Generally, most people are interacting with the same individuals regularly, meaning they hear a lot of the same viewpoints. Each news article or segment allows us to peak into the happenings and lives outside of our own. Without that exposure, we can’t truly know what is out there. By gaining the multitude of other viewpoints existing beyond our bubbles, our personal opinions and ideas are then more substantive and meaningful.
3. So you don't feel left out
We’ve all experienced those times when someone starts talking about something that happened recently and you have no clue what happened, leaving you sitting uncomfortably with nothing to say. However, if you make news consumption a habit, you are not only able to be included in these conversations, but you have plenty of dialogue to add. By reading more than just the headlines, you are also able to feel intelligent in your contributions to the conversation. You can even find your own conversation starters!
4. So you see how much power you have
This is so important. Too many of us don’t realize the immense amount of power we have. So then how do we begin to see how much influence we can have? We must first read about and listen to what other people are doing around the world. These glimpses into our government, other communities, other states, and other countries allow us to form a broader appreciation for the power we possess. Once we understand this, we can then utilize this power to make the change we wish to see.
5. So you have a higher chance of getting the job you want
Picture yourself walking into a job interview. You really want this job. During the interview, you’re asked a question that you have no personal experience with or that you are simply unsure how to answer. Then you think of a story you read the other and used it in your answer, explaining how it applies to the real world. The interviewer is so impressed that you made the time to keep up with the happenings of the world and the career you want to go into. Showing effort to maintain constant knowledge about topics applicable to your career is very impressive to potential employers.
6. So you can make smart decisions in your own life
As you gain more and more independence, you are also more and more in charge of making decisions for yourself. Importance life matters such as health insurance, car insurance, budgeting, taxes, mortgages, and credit scores become an overwhelming reality. If you have made the effort to stay engaged with the news cycle, you will innately already understand many of these adult responsibilities and decisions. With this knowledge, you will be much better equipped to ensure your decisions are mature and smart for your future.
7. So you can tell your kids what the world was like when you grew up
Don’t you love hearing stories from your parents about life when they were growing up? They talk about all the music they listened to, the movies that came out, and all of the events that were going on at the time. Your kids will only be able to understand what life is like now through you. You can give them insight that no history book or TV show can provide. The only way you can give them these insights is if you expose yourself to them yourself and make them apart of your day-to-day life by engaging with the news.
8. So you gain awareness about diverse perspectives
There are billions of people on the planet. Think of how much you could learn from even just a small chunk of those people. There are so many valuable life lessons to be learned through the experiences of others. One of the best and easiest ways to learn about these other perspectives is by reading about them. Even better, not only are you reading about perspectives other than your own, but you’re also reading real stories about the lives of real people.
9. So you can teach yourself the difference between real and fake news
The chaos that has developed in the past year over fake news is nothing short of overwhelming, at least for me. This battle over the press and fake news has become a real issue impacting public knowledge. The bottom line is: there are still good people out there doing real, hard-hitting reporting. The best way to find them is to read, read, read. Once you become more familiar with the news cycle, you can easily identify a fake piece of news from a real one.
10. So you’re better prepared for the real world
The real world is a scary place full of adult obligations and stresses. It can be extremely daunting to all of a sudden be surrounded by this place of freedom and great responsibility. Staying up to date with real world events is an extremely helpful way to prepare yourself. If you have already gained insight into everything that happens in the world on a daily basis, you are not only more prepared to be a part of that world, but you are much more likely to succeed in it.
