Before You Change The World, Build Yourself First

A dangerous trend is brewing across campuses — from Ivy Leagues in the US to redbrick universities in the UK, to India's own elite colleges.Students, especially in high school and university, are increasingly drawn to ideologies and causes they often barely understand, and almost never engage with in a rooted, responsible way. In their passion for activism, many are neglecting their most important duty: to become capable, independent contributors to society.Let's start with the basics. The first step towards adulthood is standing on one's own feet — financially, emotionally and intellectually. Yet, many students today are still dependent on their parents or the government, even as they take to the streets demanding systemic overhaul. There is something deeply flawed about claiming to fight for freedom while living off someone else's hard-earned money. That's not agency — it's entitlement.Across several countries, we are witnessing the fallout of this disconnect. In the US, student protests have led to visa revocations and arrests. In the UK, institutions are battling disruptive activism on campus that undermines academic rigour. In India, universities are frequently caught in the crossfire of political posturing and identity-led movements that often have little bearing on the everyday realities of the students themselves.At the heart of this is a flawed belief: that ideological intensity can substitute for personal credibility. But ideology doesn't pay bills. It doesn't equip you to solve unemployment, fund healthcare or feed a hungry stomach. And when causes are pursued without context, connection or comprehension, they rarely lead to progress. More often, they result in academic compromise, emotional strain, and strained relationships at home.In fact, many students today are falling into the trap of performative activism — a form of self-expression that is more about optics than outcomes. Social media has amplified this trend. Outrage is rewarded with likes, slogans are mistaken for solutions. Sharing a trending hashtag is easy; real, consistent, and informed contribution is far harder.This pattern also reflects a growing resistance to discipline and delayed gratification. There is an almost allergic reaction to dissent, debate, or even correction. Professors are labelled oppressive for holding students accountable. Parents are dismissed as out of touch. Institutions are expected to bend to emotion, not excellence. The problem is not with youthful idealism — it's with the erosion of resilience that must accompany it.Further complicating this is the rise of identity politics, where students begin to see themselves solely through the lens of grievance. When identity becomes a permanent battleground, nuance dies. Every conversation becomes a conflict. And in such spaces, learning—true, challenging, expansive learning—becomes impossible.One must also reckon with a more invisible crisis: mental health. A large number of young people are overwhelmed. They are burdened with the weight of global injustice, peer pressure and constant moral posturing. The result is burnout, anxiety and a deep sense of purposelessness masked by activism.We must acknowledge that unresolved personal confusion is not the ideal foundation to launch into public crusades. None of this is a call for silence. Students must speak. Their voices matter. But they must first listen, learn, and live with enough depth to understand the power and consequence of that voice.Activism is not meant to be loud—it is meant to be effective. And that effectiveness begins with education, discipline and a grounding in reality. The bigger question is — why is it so difficult for students today to stay focused on what they already have: education? Why has classroom learning become secondary to campus theatrics? Why is academic rigour being sacrificed for ideological expression?There is a larger role for society too. Adults must stop romanticising rebellion without responsibility. It is easy to cheer from the sidelines, harder to tell a young person: "Focus first on building yourself." And it is essential to do so.If we, as a society, continue to indulge every form of noisy dissent without scrutiny, we rob the next generation of the tools they need to lead effectively. Standing up for a cause requires courage. But more than that, it requires credibility. And credibility only comes from preparation, perspective, and purpose.Before you try to change the world, ensure you’ve built the strength to carry its weight. Before engaging in any cause, young people must confront a hard truth: activism is not about seeking validation or adhering to the loudest moral stance. It is about taking responsibility for real-world impact — not just voicing dissatisfaction but offering solutions that can actually be implemented.A true activist doesn't just point out the problems; they are part of the solution. This requires patience, perseverance, and an ability to handle failure—a reality many students shy away from in pursuit of applause. Genuine change comes from grounded efforts, not fleeting moments of outrage.To make a real difference, young people must learn to balance passion with pragmatism, and action with accountability. The youth have time, energy, and idealism on their side. But to truly shape the future, they must pair those with competence, clarity and character. Otherwise, they will become not leaders of change — but casualties of their own confusion..Srinath Sridharan is corporate adviser and independent director on corporate boards. Author of 'Family and Dhanda'.Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of NDTV Profit or its editorial team..The ‘Vanaprasth’ Mindset: What Indian Business Families Forgot About Succession

Before You Change The World, Build Yourself First

Activism without foundation is noise. True change begins with self-growth.

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