Blog: What does the future look like to you?

We often start our mornings by reading the news and scrolling through social media. When we see what’s happened in the world overnight, it can be difficult not to feel disappointed at the state of global politics. The news constantly delivers stories that feel overwhelming. Either climate change has progressed even further or human rights are being violated somewhere. Sometimes it can feel as though things are only getting worse. It makes you wonder: is it even possible to believe in a better future?

To be honest, it would be easier to give up. We could set aside our worries about the future and simply focus on Netflix and eating candy. But what would giving up actually mean? What does it mean to abandon hope for the future? Believing in a worse future means denying our future selves, or the students that come after us, the chance for a free life. When we give in to despair, we are essentially saying no to change. That is why we must refuse to accept it. We choose to believe in change.

Change begins with small actions. Each of us can influence the future through our own communities. It starts with treating people around you with kindness. It starts with recycling your household waste. It also begins with taking care of your own wellbeing. When we are well, we have the strength to work together to create change and build hope for the future.

Change begins with small actions.

If we didn’t have hope for the future, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Both of us have decided that we want to make a difference instead of staying home imagining worst-case scenarios. This is why we have become involved in our subject societies and in the board of the Student Union of the University of Oulu. We strongly believe that we can help make the world a better place. It takes time and hard work. After all, you don’t write a master’s thesis in a day, either. The best place to start is with small steps. We want to do our part and support the wellbeing and future outlook of every student in oulu. 

We encourage you, students of Oulu, to join us in building a better future. You can start by picking up litter in nature, giving course feedback or buying clothes or other products only when you truly need to. We strongly believe in our fellow students. We are the ones who will bring about change. We are the ones who will create wellbeing for others in the future.

We strongly believe in our fellow students. We are the ones who will bring about change.

This week (Week 11) is Wellbeing Week. During the week, you can participate in activities that support your wellbeing and hopefully find a little ray of sunshine among the gloomy news headlines. Come visit the Linnanmaa and Kontinkangas campuses and take part in the events!

Check out the full Wellbeing Week programme here! 

The blog is written by OYY’s board members responsible for social affairs, Saara Pesonen and Miikka Lukkaroinen