Over the summer I joined the protest in New York against the acquittal of George Zimmerman. The scale of the crowd was phenomenal. The anger with Zimmerman and the legal system was obvious. No justice. No peace. This was the land of the loud. But still he was left to roam. And subsequently point a shotgun at his girlfriend. Allegedly. If a protest on such a scale as this cannot incite rapid, meaningful action, then what hope do student protests have? What’s the point? Can student protests ever make a difference?

This term has been one of unrest in the student community. The proposed sale of the student loan book catalysed a ‘National Day of Action’ on the 20th November, as twenty-five campuses across the country played host to the protests of students “shocked at the extent of the government’s betrayal.” More locally, there have been calls for the University to condemn the actions of Cambridgeshire Police for spying on students. The government seems to think that students can be sidelined in some areas and yet prioritised as a threat in others.

Although pockets of the student community have been galvanised into action, no real change has occurred. But for me, causing an immediate change in legislation is not what student protest is about. Even if they are viewed by some as merely ‘token resistance’, they are still an expression of political thought, something that should be encouraged in a society in which apathy appears to be on the rise. The student protests of 2010 didn’t reduce fees but they did call politicians to account for capitulating on their beliefs and promises. Protests, student led or otherwise, are prompts for conversation. They get people talking about real problems in our society and can often reveal major flaws in our current system of governance. Politicians and the public are compelled to reflect upon and justify their decisions and beliefs.

Students, particularly students in Cambridge, are either very busy or very lazy. There seems to be no middle ground. So when they take time out of their day to stand in the persistent drizzle outside Senate House, there must be a valid reason for them doing so. After all, that play they are directing is waiting, that overdue essay beckons and Breaking Bad will not watch itself. They are being taught to be critical about our world. To challenge the norm. They are the next generation of business leaders, politicians, civil servants and teachers. Taking a literal stand against issues concerning students – ranging from loans to job opportunities and now privacy – is a clear message that we do not agree with the decisions of a government that was elected to represent the views of the people, protect their interests and aid the vulnerable.

With that said, standing in a public space as a form of political expression is hardly a new phenomenon, and student protests are not completely pointless. Bulgaria has now witnessed over 160 days of protests led by students. Last week they were joined by the largest trade union in the country as they took action against low wages and unemployment. Their efforts have even garnered the attention of the British media.

But other platforms for protest, such as Twitter and online petitions, are in my view just as effective. Possibly even more so, because they make up for what student protests often lack in terms of feet on the ground. Social media can be used to amass huge amounts of support in a very short space of time. You can protest in your pyjamas. All it takes is a retweet or filling in a couple of boxes and you’re done. The government even has its own website for e-petitions so you can speak directly to our elected politicians. No need to don a sensible coat, fashion a sign out of an Amazon box and storm the Bastille.

But there is another form of resistance that, rather sadly, many do not participate in. It’s well within your right to protest, whether it be online or in the streets, but please don’t forget your right to vote. Elections are powerful things. You only have to look at the recent discussions in colleges about women’s officers to see that. Protests get people talking. Nothing may be changed, but at least grievances are aired, and when we get the chance to take to the ballot boxes we’ll keep them in mind.

We are British. Complaining isn’t really our thing. So the fact that we are standing up and saying something is great. We’re getting there, slowly but surely. There will be no Russell Brand-esque revolution. Change will be iterative. It will be painfully slow. Students’ demands will be initially ignored. But that doesn’t mean that they are not heard.