Over the last few months, the world seems to be full of tragedies from natural disasters like hurricanes to mass shootings.

These events have called many issues into question. Are the current gun laws strict enough? How well does the government handle natural disasters? But locally, we must answer the question: how do we deal with a loss on campus?

What has the world come to?

While these events often bring politics and policies into question, we often forget to acknowledge the loss and the emotions that we experience ourselves.

When moving away to college, it becomes all too easy to forget to tell our loved ones just how much we love them.

“In light of the events that have taken place over the last week, I was reminded of how important it is to tell my friends and family how much they are loved,” Riana Cooper, a North Dakota State senior in marketing, told me.

“I called my mom Sunday after hearing the news about Ellie (Helm), simply to let her know I’m okay and that I love her.” Cooper’s emotions reflect how many feel about the recent tragedies that our nation and campus have seen. ­

You can never do any harm by telling someone you care for them. Often, your reminder is exactly what they need that day.

Dallas Freeman, a senior on the NDSU football team, rarely gets to visit home during the fall season. With games every weekend and hours of practice when the team isn’t competing, there simply isn’t time.

“With practice and school, it gets easy to lose track of time and forget to call home,” Freeman said. “Sometimes all you need is to hear your mom’s voice, and she always seems to know when to call.”

As a senior who is planning on moving halfway across the country after graduation this May, I often question whether a fight with my mom or sister is worth it?

Who benefits from an argument? Why were we even fighting in the first place? Over the last few months, I have come to terms with the fact that no argument, no matter how big, is worth staying mad over. It’s better to forgive because life is extremely unpredictable. You never know when you might lose someone. That has become so obvious now.

It is important to remember to love and live life to its fullest. Hug your friends today and kiss your significant other. Text your long distant friends and family. Make sure to call your mom and remind your loved ones how much you cherish them.