Is it worth striking as a sixth form student?

I want to make a change and contribute but I'm just wondering if there's any point as a sixth form student. All that would happen is that I'd have my attendance go down and miss out on lessons, without affecting the college or government economically or bringing attention to the issue (after all, i'm not required to be here).

What do you think?

Reply 1

username1799249

I think you would have more success organising a campaign, raising awareness, writing to your MP / local newspaper / local councillors and organising a petition.

Good luck!

Reply 2

Rubeekhan

I’m also in sixth form and I’m attending the protest on Friday. For me, it’s not about the attendance it’s about being there representing young activism and standing up for my rights. The more the better

Original post by clrkami

Reply 3

jameswhughes

Original post by clrkami

You're right, that's all that will happen. Did you think that the world would stop turning if you skip Sociology on Friday?

Reply 4

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

The point of a strike is that it's a widely organised action. An individual, or even a lot of individuals, going on "strike" won't necessarily make any difference unless there are enough participating for it to be noticeable. Even if you had one entire subject class going on strike, this wouldn't really affect much - you would need at least the whole school, if not many in the area, to have any real outcome from it.

Occupation is of course another matter entirely...

Reply 5

CuriousCat567

I’m going (haven’t told my school yet) on Friday because it is a global strike. If it was just a nationwide one I wouldn’t be as likely to participate but the fact that’s it’s global means it might have the potential to actually make a change. I’ve applied to university for biology to go into conservation, but I also take geography and am really interested in the changing climate. So even if I miss a mock on Friday, I want to stand up for something that’s important to not only my future but the career I want to go into.

Reply 6

Wired_1800

Original post by clrkami

Dont fall for that nonsense. The best way to change the world is to change yourself. The way you live, eat, socialise and engage with the world.

1. Change your smart phone to a small phone that used just for calls - you would save the acres of lands pillaged every year in Africa and Asia for the minerals used for your smart phone.

2. Change the way you travel. Rather than use uber or bus, get a bike and cycle or walk as much as you can.
Cancel all holidays esp oversees and live locally.

3. Engage with local farmers and encourage local farming practices. Rather than go to Tesco or Morrisons, you should head down to the local farmer’s market.

4. Buy second hand products or no products at all. Reduce your shopping habits. Don't go for that new brand or jacket. Instead manage the old one and buy a second or third hand when yours is done.

5. Don't go to restaurants and eat fresh produce at home.

6. Turn off all the lights when you leave the room and manage the water you consume.

There are many more things that you can do. The issue is that we want others to change but are not changing our lives.

I’d also suggest that you stay in school and learn as much as you can. Your knowledge may help you to create a solution to the environment’s pollution.

Reply 7

AperfectBalance

Yeah sure go ahead, I am sure the world will care that you have gone on strike, you will be just another ignored statistic whilst doing damage to your schooling

Reply 8

jameswhughes

Original post by Wired_1800

1. Change your smart phone to a small phone that used just for calls - you would save the acres of lands pillaged every year in Africa and Asia for the minerals used for your smart phone.

If you already have a smartphone, surely it would make more sense just to hold onto it instead of buying yet another phone? Sure, they use a lot of resources if you buy a new one every year, but that's unnecessary and a good smartphone should last 4+ years these days.

Some resources must be saved indirectly with widespread adoption of smartphones, for example there are fewer people buying cameras/radios/MP3 players etc. If you want to encourage public transport use, then a smartphone is pretty useful for finding out when the bus/train is coming and buying tickets.

Reply 9

Wired_1800

Original post by jameswhughes

I can agree to a smartphone, if people use just that device. However, lots of people have phones, tablets, laptops and, in some cases, even PCs.

The point to the other poster is for them to do more by working on their lives. We have people protest and shout about how we are destroying the earth but they go for 2 holidays overseas, have 2 phones, drive their cars everywhere, waste so much food, buy a new dress every weekend, leave lights on all the time, waste water and so on.

I really believe that if we start to work on ourselves, we would do more for the world than protests ever did.