To consider oneself an active part of society, you should have some sort of awareness, especially during times when there is a lot going on, or an election is coming up. In the busy life of a college student, it can be hard to stay on top of everything happening in the world. Oftentimes we're only exposed to something if one of our friends shares an article on social media. Luckily, there are many outlets that can keep you informed without putting you to sleep. Here are a few:
NowThis — An organization whose page you can like on Facebook, to ensure their posts come up on your newsfeed. They have short videos summarizing important things that are currently happening in the news. Some of the videos are about interesting news stories from random parts of the country, and others discuss critical laws and advancements that are being put in place. They cover a variety of topics, and if you like the generalization but want something more specific, you can like any of their subgroups, which include, NowThis Election, NowThis Entertainment, NowThis Future, etc. So next time you’re scrolling through your feed, you may even learn something!
UpWorthy — UpWorthy is another organization you can like on Facebook. Their videos are all centered on the good of the world. Their videos may show new medical advancements or they will highlight a certain person or group of people leading a movement or accomplishing something great. All the videos are very uplifting and informative, and you learn about interesting things you wouldn’t see or hear about in regular news media. It’s a nice alternative to the usually downing news media we see every day.
Vice — For longer and more detailed stories, look to Vice. You can like them on Facebook to have articles written by the staff pop up on your newsfeed, or you can watch their videos on HBO. They have long editorials that discuss things like drug usage, war and corruption. Most of their videos or articles go into greater detail than most media outlets, and they are way more entertaining. If you’ve never heard of Vice, definitely check it out.
"The Daily Show" — "The Daily Show" is a comedic 30-minute news segment, that discusses certain big events in a funny way. Although it’s centered on sarcasm, a lot of what is discussed is serious and is spoken about appropriately. Trevor Noah, who took over for Jon Stewart, does a good job of making you laugh but also informing you about things you may have not heard about. There are also many different relevant guests that come on the show. It’s definitely a great show to watch while you’re having a quick lunch in between classes.
TheSkimm — Finally, the best tool for staying informed requires no work. TheSkimm is a website where you sign up with your email, and then receive daily emails with a quick summary of all that's going on in the world. The emails are quick and easy to read, and always have a bit of sarcastic comedy. The best part is that they don’t just discuss the mainstream news; they make sure to mention stories you otherwise wouldn’t hear about. In the end of each email, they also recommend good books and movies!
Staying informed may sometimes prove to be a challenge, especially when you’re busy with your own life. However, if you look to these few alternative news outlets, that cross between informative and entertaining, you will be on your way to discussing politics at dinner. It is your duty as a college student to be aware of things going on in the world. Lucky for you, you can do so in a fun easy way!
