With the start of every new semester comes late-night studying, early morning coffee runs and the occasional midday nap. Whether you are a returning or new student, the challenges of staying on top of the workload and balancing life outside of school can be daunting.
Additionally, finding your voice amongst the crowd can prove to be one of the hardest aspects of college life. Whether it’s sharing an opinion on a topic or calling out discrimination and injustice, being able to stand up for oneself and others is not always an easy thing to do. Quite frankly, it can be downright terrifying.
However, as the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) continues to grow, it is also the time for us students to recognize our value to the institution. UHCL is your community and with that comes a responsibility to ensure you and others are being heard.
As the student-run newspaper of UHCL, our goal as your Signal is to continue being a platform for students to voice their views and spark much-needed conversations. These conversations might not always be easy, but choosing to stay silent will only weaken the power of the student voice.
One way to get started is to write a letter to the editor. These letters can be about anything, from an opinion on a story The Signal publishes or thoughts on policies or changes at UHCL. Letters can be submitted via email to [email protected], and previously published letters and the letter guidelines can be found on our website.
Also, students are always welcome to submit contributions for publication in the form of written and/or visual pieces. You can reach out with story ideas for The Signal to cover by emailing [email protected] or stopping by the newsroom in Bayou Building, room 1239.
As a graduate student in my final year, I am aware of the expectations and challenges that come with being a member of a university community. At times it can be nerve-wracking covering certain stories, deciding what to publish and speaking up when something seems unjust. However, it does not stem out of any animosity or ill will toward the university. In fact, it is because of The Signal’s love for this community that we continue to inform, educate and engage our audience.
Lastly, I want to encourage all students to get involved on campus in some shape or form, whether it’s stopping by an on-campus event for a few minutes, joining a student organization, attending the weekly Student Government Association meetings, volunteering with the Environmental Institute of Houston, becoming a student leader, or simply staying updated on campus news and life via reading The Signal or scrolling through social media.
With all of that said, or rather written, good luck with the new fall semester and always know your voice matters.