It's hard trying to be invested in what's happening in your own country, or even just like, scrolling through your Twitter feed without being vividly aware of the constantly changing tide of politics. Following the presidential election in November, tensions between the political left and right are dangerously high, and every development in DC has the potential to lead both sides to make phone calls, rally, write seething articles, organize marches, and have vicious online debates. As a college student, it's likely that you are paying attention to these things, and oftentimes paying attention can lead to a desire to step in and do something. Your education is the most important thing, because it will equip you properly so that you can run head first into the world's problems when you graduate. However, there are going to be times you feel helpless to do anything for causes important to you. Here are a few ways that you can be involved in issues while still balancing school and being stuck as a single student on a college campus:

1. Donate. If you can.

Every initiative, organization, charity, or program that fights injustice or supports the causes you are passionate about needs funding. If you are unable to dedicate the time, and or if you simply have the resources, donate money so that other people can do what you can't at the moment.

2. Get involved on campus.

There is going to be a political club on every college campus. Wherever you affiliate, you can join and begin making connections with like-minded peers. There are also going to be volunteer opportunities through causes that are important to you, from food shuttles to LGBTQ groups to environmental activists. Don't let the overwhelming battle of the national government distract you from the difference you can make directly on campus.

3. Pay attention to what's going on in your college town.

If what's going on in national government seems overwhelming and too big for you to tackle, it's a good idea to roll back to local government where the issues are blankets for your community rather than your country. Find the local papers, read up on issues, and make your way into the city with your friends to make your presence as a college student known.

4. You probably do have time.

Being a college student is tough, because you have a lot of pressure to do well in your classes and be highly involved as a product of yourself, your parents, your school's culture, and this society. That doesn't mean that you should let issues you care about pass without involving yourself in them. It's all about prioritizing. If you support a local candidate, volunteer to phonebank for them, and let the hour you spend browsing Facebook be spent doing something you care about. Balancing everything is pretty difficult, but keep in mind that the legislation going on in the world is bound to affect your future just as much (or more) than any one test will.

5. Listen first.

College is a time for evolving and expressing political ideas. There are going to be so many smart people around you, and so many different perspectives, that it would be a waste to try and assert your own opinions at every opportunity. Listen to people who share your views. Listen to people who don't. Read. Take care to listen and learn from other people and you might find that they shape your experiences and shift your views for the better.

6. Say yes.

New experiences and new ways to engage can open you up to view points and issues much closer to home. You might end up going to town hall meetings in your college town, you might end up volunteering weekly at a food shelter, you might end up changing your priorities.

While news of politics might seem colossal at times, there are ways to get involved even as a college student to make a difference. More importantly, however, are the learning experiences you get by being involved. More than just learning in the classroom, you have the unique freedom and opportunity to be part of things that are bigger than your campus's bubble, and through that you can learn some valuable things about the greater community and, not to mention, yourself.