At 20, I feel alone and worried, where is this world going?
Gas prices are astronomically high, the economy is so bad that the government is giving away money to stimulate it and soldiers are still dying at a rapid rate in the war in Iraq.
Being at the university doesn't help the situation. The priorities of the university are geared toward it being a money-making business, with no heart for the consumer. The university acts like they care about the environment encouraging Earth Week, which consisted of turning off lights and "tray-less day;" yet I did not see the electric flag pole being switched out for a manual one to save on energy.
Yet, we all continue on, smile and go on with our daily lives unfazed by the crap going on around us.
It is hard to care about anything when everything seems too big to change.
Growing up I wanted to change the world; I wanted to get into politics and help pass laws that would benefit the people.
I wanted to make the world a better place.
However, politics have been lumped into Republican or Democrat with any other party having no chance; the issues get lost in partisan loyalty.
Now all I want to do is cling onto that happiness and forget everything in this screwed up world.
I know this is wrong - history shows one person can make a difference and it is never too late for change.
One example I use to remind myself there is hope was the Blue Hen Poll 2008.
The Blue Hen Poll 2008 was an outlet for students to have a voice and was the first ever student conducted public opinion poll at the university.
On March 13, 2008 a random sample of 1,500 students were able to take the public opinion poll and give their views on a wide variety of topics. The randomness of the sample made the survey valid, so the research team could analyze the population of undergraduates at the university without bias.
The Blue Hen Poll 2008 gave student's the power to voice a collective opinion. The public had an inside view on campus opinions regarding local and national issues, such as the upcoming election and campus policies.
The validity and influence of the poll all relied on student involvement, and students proved they wanted their voice to be heard with a 43 percent response rate, which is extremely high for an on campus survey. Students actually do want their opinions to be known because, with no incentive other than their own will, many students responded.
The Blue Hen Poll 2008 gave students the opportunity to make a change and influence what is going on at the university. The research team revealed the results of the public opinion poll on May 6, 2008 in the Trabant University Multipurpose room A.
Data revealed 90 percent of the campus was satisfied with the university, and those who are part of an organization on campus are more likely to be satisfied. It was discovered students were most dissatisfied with the health services and fitness facilities.
The data also revealed students on campus are tolerant and involved in political activities.
These results opened my eyes and uplifted me, for the world as I see it is not as dim as it may appear.
Like me, students at the university are worried and think the morals of the country are bad - and the majority think the morals are getting worse.
These results gave me an understanding of the world around me; we are all worried but still trying to make a difference.
Despite thinking the world's morals are bad, students are changing it by being tolerant, participating in politics and contributing to the campus by getting involved in a group.
I needed to see the Blue Hen Poll 2008 results and look at the opinions on campus to give me something to look forward to. The world is a mess, but our generation is trying to help change that.
Tomorrow looks brighter than today.
Maria Zinszer is a copy editor at the university. Her viewpoints do not necessarily represent those of the Review staff. Please send comments to mzinszer@udel.edu.
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