Fight For Your Right: Student Activism on Campus

Historically, student activism have often played a central role in protest movements – and that continues to be the case today.

When you think about it, this is hardly surprising. Universities bring together large groups of young people – engaged in sharing ideas, debating, and often full of energy, idealism and eagerness to make their mark on the world.

(I may be verging into stereotypes here, but you get my point!)

So if there’s something you feel passionately about, I’d say that university – while by no means the only time to have your say – is certainly a great time to get involved. But, before you jump to hasty conclusions about student activism, by ‘get involved’ I do not mean:

• a) get arrested, or
• b) give up your studies, stop cutting your hair and join a ‘hippy commune’.

Student activism opportunities

While media representations of student activism tend to focus on only the most dramatic incidents, there are actually a lot more options than shouting into a loud-speaker at the front of a march, or tying yourself to something from which police are keen to remove you.

Student activism and campaign work need these ‘media moments’, but they also need research, networking, planning, events organization, debates and discussions, fundraising, petitions, press releases - and more. So wherever your skills lie, you’ll be able to put them to good use.

And whatever you’re passionate about – be it human rights or animal rights, political freedom or economic reform, environmental issues or education funding – at university you’ll find like-minded people ready to add their voices to yours.

What causes do you feel most strongly about? Would you take part in a student protest? Which student activists do you most admire?