There is always that one person. Whether it's a friend or a friend of a friend, it's inevitable. This person is usually a political science major who thrives on health care reform as a conversation starter at friendly get-togethers.
But what of the rest of us?
Where are less opinionated college students getting our news? Only 10 percent of 18-year olds to 24-year are tuning in to the evening news on ABC, NBC and CBS combined this season, according to figures from Nielsen Media Research.
With our generation's information coming from the Internet, it is likely that the sites we are browsing have little to do with global issues and politics.
We consider watching the news as "old school," an activity meant for our parents. News reports are uninteresting and unrelated to our life. Our biggest issues lie within our preference of De Lazy Lizard over Bent Willey's.
Yet, while programs like Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," are highly satirical and thought to be an unreliable source for news, young viewers are tuning into this program most often for day-to-day intake of global information.
"I took an international business course last semester and got really into politics," said senior business management major Schuyler Beck. "I started using the Internet as my main source of news after that class. The New York Times site I use most because I can easily view it from my phone while I wait for class. When I can, I watch ‘The Daily Show.' I think it's a good source of political information while still being entertaining to watch. I love how John Stewart makes fun of everyone; he never singles out one particular party."
While some find "The Daily Show" entertaining, there is a definite viewing audience that this program has. While many in the older generation have argued that the show is less than credible, young viewers have disagreed.
With the decrease in interest of televised news, media outlets have found new ways to draw in its' collegiate viewers.
"I follow NPR on Twitter. I used to listen to the radio station when I was in high school but this (Twitter) is so much easier," notes Sarah Voegelin, a senior economics major. "They post breaking news stories, as soon as they happen. I prefer NPR because I feel they are the most unbiased source of news out there."
Like many college students, Voegelin's main source of political information originates from her family background.
"My parents are very liberal. Even though we have similar views, I try to follow the Wall Street Journal on Twitter too, which is geared toward more conservative views, just to stay well-rounded on important issues. I also read political commentator blogs like ThomHartman.com, which has helped me stay connected to what's going on," Voegelin said.
Since the start of the millennium, a new breed of self-proclaimed authors have taken over the web.
In July 2006, the Pew Internet & American Life Project estimated that the United States "blog population has grown to about 12 million American adults," or 8 percent of U.S. adult Internet users.
With such an astronomical amount of Americans adding their own two cents, separating reliable news from opinion isn't always easy.
The Internet can be a death trap of deceitful information for college students who consider themselves to be moderate or on the fence when it comes to global issues and political standpoints.
Separating the truth from a blogger's point of view isn't easy if you are oblivious to what you are reading. Is the only credible source of true hard news and political information found within the Big 3 evening newscasts?
Obviously not.
It is important to separate the less reliable blogs from those that are not. Each day, more and more Americans are trading in heavy-weighted newspapers for pixilated laptops.
Viewing news online isn't less credible, it is just easier. Whether you're views are liberal, conservative or moderate, every college student should be aware of what is happening in the world around them.
As cliche as it may be, the future of this country rests on our generation.
Being ignorant of global issues will only hurt us in the end, and frankly no one wants to be unprepared for what lies ahead after college.
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