As college students and societal members of the 21st century, we are always plugged in. By that I mean we are always on a computer, phone, or watching television. We have constant access to the world around us in the palms of our hands. It seems ridiculous to think that many of us still are not caught up on current events.

Sure, much of the time the news is depressing. It is about war, national debt, and several other crises occurring world round. There are still positive things that happen in the news, too, like Powerball winners, entertainment, and scientific discoveries. On days there are not, it does not mean that the other things are not important.

But why is it important that we concern ourselves with the daily happenings of the world, especially when it can be so bleak? As citizens of the United States, it is our job to be concerned about what is happening in our country so we can make informed opinions on what we believe is best for our country. With gun violence as prevalent as it is, how are we supposed to make a decision on gun control without reading or watching the news? If we didn't pay attention to the news at all, the likelihood of us knowing that there was an issue with gun violence would be much smaller.

This can cross over to how people form their opinions on other political issues as well. Without news informing them on issues like war, social security, drug policies, immigration, health care, global warming, and so much more, many people would have no idea where they stand on these topics. The news is generally an unbiased forum that informs people of the information on a specific subject, which allows people to draw their own conclusions and standpoints.

In addition, being informed on general news and current events is important for day-to-day conversation. It makes the individual who is informed well-rounded. Knowing everything about who is dating who in Greek life or why boyfriend jeans are currently better than skinny jeans can only get you so far in a conversation. Being able to talk about how you think the most recent Republican debate went or the capture of El Chapo is something that everyone is capable of.

If you're unsure of how exactly to get involved with the news, my easiest tip is to set your browser home page to your favorite news source (CNN, ABC, Huffington Post). This way every time you open up your browser, you see the headlines for today. If something peaks your interest, click on it! In no time, you will be more informed about the world around you.