by Victoria Gray
Waterloo students try to do too much and get burnt out.
When I was in university every student had their thing, but I feel like myself, and the people I knew had one or two volunteer positions on their plate, while most of the Waterloo students I know have three and four volunteer commitments on top of jobs and hefty academic responsibilities.
It seems like most students are burned out by this point in the semester and not performing well. At student newspapers I wrote for and eventually managed as a student, people were lined up and fighting over articles, topics, column inches and event tickets every week, but here, I have emails and students stopping by to express an interest in writing, but articles don’t come in.
We have a core group of extraordinarily dedicated volunteers who I value and appreciate more than words can express because without them there wouldn’t be a paper.
I want more passionate volunteers to take this paper to the next level. I want to see people in the Imprint office arguing over politics at the university, provincial legislation that affects young people and events the university should or shouldn’t be hosting.
I want passion in my newsroom. I want to see, hear and feel the next generation caring about their future. I want to see young minds trying to make a difference in the community. I want to fuel that fire, but I feel a lot of apathy. I wish I knew how to turn that around. I don’t want to say it’s because this generation is lazy. I know that’s not true.
I don’t want to say it’s because you don’t care. I know that’s not true.
Is it because there is just too much to do and too much to care about? It seems people want to reach out and they want to try, but is it just to put on their resume? Or do they really want to write, expose the truth and tell the community about the things they need to know and just not have the time or the will to do it.
I’d like answers. Tell me why it’s so hard for students to commit to a cause that demands they make an effort.
Tell me why young people don’t vote, why so many know so little about our civic system, and why so few are doing the real work to make real change in a society so many of you seem so discontent in.
Email me your answers and your frustrations at editor@uwimprint.ca.
