It’s not pretty, it’s not fun, and its really not "pretty fun," but we all know that most of you have an easier time name dropping Kardashians than presidential candidates. We are the world, we are the children, and we have a say in who gets to run our country for the next four years. I know that we’ve all gotten that glimmer of fear in our eyes when that guy from class says that he would “vote for Kanye,” because a very real part of you knows that he isn’t joking and that he has the ability to procreate. With all of the commotion that is this current race for the presidency, a lot of concerning statements have been casually overheard that make me question my allegiance to the human race. While I fully support one’s entitlement to their own egregiously absurd opinions, my contention lies with those who don’t understand the facts behind the positions that they are taking. So, I have comprised a list of several bare minimum ways that you can politically educate yourselves or others in need. This way, should the opportunity arise, you can verbally own someone or—at the very least—have something sexy and political to say while waiting in line in Midtown.

1. Get alerts sent to your phone.

As most of us in this day and age need an alert from our phones to remember to lock our doors, having news updates sent to your phone is now also a thing. You will become ever-so-slightly smarter every time that you check how many minutes are left in class. It’s not much, but it’s a start. These apps work.

2. Take a politics class.

Going to college is all about being able to sound smart at adult dinner parties, right?

3. Make a news source your homepage.

Be a cut above the rest and make the news provider of your choosing into your homepage. This can at least guarantee that you will subconsciously absorb a relevant headline or two throughout your day to offset your disturbingly extensive knowledge of Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence’s budding friendship.

4. Understand that just because something is on television, it does not mean that it’s true.

Admittedly, being shouted at does add an air of absoluteness to any opinions that are involved. Just remember that even America’s Sweetheart—Brian Williams—can fail us in the accuracy department.

5. Take a quiz to see where your ideals actually line up.

Voting for a candidate is cool! Voting for a candidate based solely on that fact that they have an extensive pant-suit collection is not. Take a break from that Buzzfeed quiz to figure out which character from "That’s So Raven" that you’re most like and figure out which candidate you actually want to vote for. This one will do.

6. Put the news on while you work out or have it in the background while you study.

You will experience the gentle motivation of the Silver Fox, Anderson Cooper, while you get absolutely ripped. However, you should probably avoid listening to Rush Limbaugh while studying—that really can't be very productive.

7. Hear people out.

You don’t even have to admit if they’re right! Just know, deep down, that you probably should come to terms with it if that happens.

8. Don’t hear people out.

As soon as a stray droplet of spit enters your personal space, you have permission from on high to immediately exit that conversation.

9. Wait idly by for the Colbert/Stewart ticket to announce its run.

They are the Dark Knights to our Gotham.