I got involved in conservative activism and organizing very late in my college career. Knowing what I know now, there are many things I would do differently if I could do it over again.

Incoming freshmen -- or students of any year -- take this as some quick advice.

Focus more on campus issues. Addressing national policy is fun and easy, but confronting campus issues can be fun and actually change something. There are many organizations nationwide focusing on national issues, but only you are in prime position to address issues on your campus. Your group has the potential to affect national policy in rare cases, but it has unlimited potential to affect campus policy.

Focus more on building a conservative alumni and donor network. Trying to change the minds of fellow students and get media attention drawn to leftist abuses and bias and conservative principles are worthy endeavors. But the impact of such activities are minimal and temporary relative to the impact one can have by cultivating alumni, donors, and other influentials (e.g. regents, trustees, governors) of the university. Moreover, these networking and fundraising activities will only help you personally and professionally after graduation. Working or volunteering for your university's fundraising operations is a useful way to find out who really controls policy and funding.

Focus on attention-getting activism, not just mass education about conservative principles. Mass education is what your university does, and your university has the advantage on that battleground. But what you can do very, very effectively is challenge and change the institution through confrontational activism. Identify political or ideological bias, draw attention to it, and demand changes. Your Regional Field Coordinator can help you pick the right tactics.

Remember that nothing is more important, powerful, and beneficial than an effective conservative student group on campus. Unfortunately, politics now impacts every aspect of our lives, including those we cherish most. Make it a top priority.

I hope you will learn from my experiences and put these lessons I learned to good use!