Obama’s win in the presidential election ushered in a transformation of a nation but most importantly a transformation of the nation’s youth. The nation’s young voters have, according to most estimates, contributed heavily to his win.

Now having celebrated, and deservably so, the impact of their voting power it is also important to build on the momentum and expand their rejuvenated confidence and self worth. Having cast their vote regardless of being on the winning or the losing side, democrat, republican or independent, they are now at the crossroad of either reverting back to the nonchalant attitudes toward national or international events or exercise the power of their voice and show a serious commitment heard and to be taken seriously.

They have to take words that resonate in the classroom or on graduation day like “the future is yours,” “you are the hope of the nation” or “you are the pioneers of this nation’s future” and seriously take them to heart. Opportunities to do that are close at hand whether on campus or off campus. Even in the classroom it is not enough to learn just for the short-term goal of getting a good grade but for the long-term goal of utilizing what you learn to make a difference, not only in your life but also in the lives of others.

The future is yours, but to really make it yours, along with exercising your civic duties, you need to show that you are worthy by contributing to the nation’s vision to help create a more peaceful and tolerant world community and your start can be here on campus and, yes, by having the classroom as your platform. Think about what you read or hear in or outside the classroom, question and investigate, seek thorough not superficial understanding of other peoples and culture. Regardless of your majors in science or humanities, your future and the future of the world not only depends on but also demands new thinking and new approaches, whether in relation to world politics, economics or cultures. When you are addressed with the words “the future is yours,” there is doubt in the truthfulness of the statement, but how you go about preparing for that rests entirely on your shoulders.

– Fathi El-Shihibi is an associate academic specialist in the college of professional studies international programs.