For many freshmen in college, this is the first time they are able to vote in a big election; being knowledgeable about candidates, issues, and politics in general is key. Though it is apparent through The Buchtelite’s political Campus Voice segments of the past few weeks, many Zips have said politics don’t matter, when in reality, they do. It is your

duty to stay up-to-date on current events; you are only helping yourself in the end.
Tips on formulating your political beliefs:

1. Watch the local news. Whether it be within your residence hall, while working out at the rec, or standing in line at the grocery store, being knowledgeable and up-to-date on local issues that affect your area’s school district, taxes, and jobs is valuable information. Local news provides good information on these topics.

2. Register to vote in Akron. For many students, living on campus takes up about nine months out of the year. It makes sense to register to vote in the area in which you live so that you can participate in any local election that you feel will affect you, and other elections elections such as the presidential.

3. Read a national newspaper or national magazine. While a national newspaper will not focus on your city, it does focus on the overall issues the United States might be facing. Learning about the events of today will not only help you shape your opinions, but will make you become more focused on being informed. Consider The New York Times, Washington Post, Time, or Newsweek.

4. Take a political science class. Many of us took up American government in high school – why not take up World Politics in Film, Women in Politics, or Politics of Developing Nations here at UA? Adding these courses to your repertoire will expand the knowledge you have about U.S. and world governments, and will give you an edge if you are looking into domestic or international business as a job.
5. Be open-minded when it comes to others’ beliefs. You have probably been told this many times by your parents, but in college, being open-minded is almost an unspoken rule. There are thousands of people, which means there are thousands of opinions and different backgrounds.