If you are anything like me, you came into college anticipating a wide range of political stances and other opinions that concern the makeup of the world we are living in.

I mean, you cannot expect much less while attending a liberal arts college. I was excited to meet people with different ways of viewing the world, but I truly underestimated the amount of bias that would be projected onto students during lecture and within assignments.

Personally, I have always taken an interest in political science and the general foundation of our American government. This semester I was pleased to have extra time available in my schedule to take an American Government course. I looked forward to re-exposing myself to the material that I enjoyed learning in high school, as I am sure others did.

However, there is one significant difference between high school government courses and college government courses; professors do not have to remain unbiased. While this can be beneficial in some cases, I found it to be detrimental to my desire, along with a few of my peers, to learn more and be engaged in the lecture this past semester.

I do not mind disclosing my political stance with individuals and debating controversial issues if the individual on the other end of the argument can logically defend their opinions. In this particular classroom setting, this has been far from the case.

In my government class, there is one side that is correct and one side that is incorrect, point blank. I get it, here in America there is no shortage of things to debate and interpret. The problem with this is, while everyone has an opinion, some are not open to even listening to others, let alone respect them. You do not dare expose your classmates to your opinion if it contrasts with theirs, because it's 2018, and everyone will undoubtedly get offended.

I have been disappointed by the lesson plan that has portrayed itself as more of an agenda to persuade uninformed students one way rather than the other. I grew up exposed to politics and understanding the election process.

However, my parents did an excellent job of giving me room to decide my political stance without their influence. I have talked to several people who were not given this opportunity; being raised that their parents’ way is the right way. One of the worst things one can do is insinuate that their way is the right way without having any explanation, in my opinion.

Unfortunately, this is exactly what the classroom has come to. If your professor was not pleased with the results of the 2016 election, I promise it will not go unspoken. I am not opposed to discussing election results and stances on gun control policies. However, I firmly believe there needs to be room to discuss what is important, the facts; the original form of the Constitution, the branches of government and their duties, and all of the other umbrella terms that make up this democracy.

Professors that overexpose students to their personal standpoints are not the only underlying issue. After reading the first page of my textbook this Spring, I knew which political party took control of writing it.

Textbooks are supposed to be factual, moral of the story. While we as a community cannot control what comes out of our professors’ mouths, we do have a say in which textbooks we spend two hundred plus dollars on. We do have a say in what we choose to take at face value. And from my experience, I want to advise those interested in these types of courses to go in with an open mind, a strong voice, and even stronger backbone.

Everyone should feel comfortable expressing their opinion; you are paying to go to class. So, with all of this being said, make the most of it and speak up for what you believe in. It will not go unnoticed.