The list of complicated global events, elections, and wars that fill the news today can be very stressful and complicated. Should a busy Woodgrove student even care? Especially for seniors, who have to balance college applications and AP classes on top of all the other responsibilities that the rest of our students have, it may seem like it is not worth it to stay updated with current events and the news. However, many students, and even teachers, can see the value in understanding the news despite how busy and stressful this time of school can already be.
In a poll of senior Woodgrove students conducted in October 2024, 79% of students surveyed said they do like to keep track of current events, even if 56% of those that were polled said they do not check daily. Clearly, a large portion of senior students feel that this is worth some extent of their time, as Ariya Shah, a student athlete, said that checking the news “is important to diminish ignorance.” Despite participation in fall, winter and spring sports, which takes up most of her time, Shah claims that in general it is worth spending even just three to five minutes a day checking up on some of the biggest world events so you can “stay informed” and “formulate opinions.”
Mrs. Kate Corrado, U.S. History teacher at Woodgrove, weighed in on the matter, as she pointed out, “You never know when a current event is going to have an effect on you.” Having the interests of her students at heart and an appreciation for global events, Corrado understands the value of having at least a basic understanding of the big events happening around the world. There is certainly a balance to it, though, as you “can’t let it negatively affect you, ‘cause it can get pretty dark.”
For students specifically, knowing how a lot of these issues affect you personally as you get ready to go into the workforce or to become Virginia voters means more than just stress-inducing headlines and conversation starters. This generation will become the next group of world leaders and decision makers. When that happens, having an ingrained practice of dedicating time to understanding world-wide problems will mean becoming responsible citizens.