The amount of political engagement on this campus in the weeks leading up to yesterday's election reached a level not seen in recent memory. This has been true nationwide, but it is particularly gratifying for a college where political engagement is most often described as apathetic.

The College Web site encouraged voting, students ran voter registration tables and knocked on dorm-room doors, various departments and clubs sponsored formal and informal debates on election topics, community members congregated to watch the presidential debates and students could be heard discussing relevant topics all over campus. Let's not forget the over 100 students who were helping get-out-the-vote efforts in swing states yesterday, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to observe a deadlocked election in progress.

While nobody claims that every election-related conversation involved an in-depth, informed analysis of the issues, the fact that they were occurring is something that should be applauded. We need more of this excitement and awareness on this campus, and we would like to see an effort to retain some of the pre-election energy and political awareness long after the results are in.

This election is only the beginning. There are still issues to be worked out, laws to be passed, discussions to be had. It doesn't matter if your candidate won or lost. Election Day might be one of the most visible ways to get involved, but this country still needs your help. Summer internships in political offices are one of the best ways to stay involved, but they are not the only way. Volunteering for a local campaign may be less glamorous than a Congressional internship, but is certainly no less valuable. Read the paper, talk about it with your friends, go to lectures-even organize a lecture or debate yourself.

One of the goals of this institution is to make us informed citizens who will leave here and become productive members of society. The first step in doing so is to stay informed; the second step is to shape your own opinions through engagement with other informed individuals. Where you head next is up to you, but you will have a lot more options once you have accomplished those two things.

'Apathetic' shouldn't be the first word that comes to mind when someone says 'college student.' We have shown that we can and do care. Let's go beyond the Amherst bubble and become involved in the world around us, even after the votes have been tallied.