Two weeks ago, the Egyptian government announced archaeologists had uncovered the remnants of a 3,500-year-old settlement in the western desert called Umm Mawagir.

Artifacts and ruins gave the archeologists insight into understanding the world that existed 110 miles west of Luxor and 300 miles south of Cairo.

According to the New York Times, this newly discovered area is soon to be considered another wonder of the world, and the artifacts left behind are rewriting a part of Egyptian history.

History is something we often believe to be unalterable. We grow up believing that’s just the way the world is, and there isn’t much argument.

As much as we are told that we have the power to make a change, the reality is that it is much easier to settle for what already exists. But just because something has been going on or been believed for so long doesn’t mean it is right.

In the world, traditions are passed down through each generation, but it only takes a couple of generations for a practice to begin or die away. In college, things are much quicker. It takes four years for something to disappear, and likewise, four years for a new idea to become an ongoing tradition.

We all have the ability to leave a mark in the clubs, classes, teams and events we participate in — whether it’s finally putting a creative idea into action or putting a stop to something you feel is wrong.

For example, as a member of the class of 2011, I am part of the first year of students who have spent four years here without a mascot. That means there is a very small amount of people still on campus who were around when the Chief danced at sporting events.

Although a couple of years ago, the Chief controversy was all over campus, in just a few semesters, Chief Illinwek will be a distant memory, something that simply existed a long time ago in Illini history.

There’s a big difference between beliefs that hold real meaning and significance versus a tradition for tradition’s sake.

People constantly say there are things we can’t change because they have been this way forever. Do some research and figure out when these “age-old” traditions actually started. The reality is things seem like they’ve been going on a lot longer than they actually have been, especially when there’s no one around to tell us differently.

Just recently, I discovered that a tradition in my sorority I thought had existed for decades actually only began six years ago.

Maybe it’s adopting a new form of leadership in your RSO, putting a stop to a ritual in your frat, or getting a group you’re involved in to support a cause that means a lot to you.

Regardless of what it is, there are ways of starting something new.

In college, we are surrounded by opportunities to leave a legacy. Whether it’s something small or as large as a country’s history, we must question the things we believe to be incorrect, regardless of what others are telling us. Just because something has existed for years doesn’t mean it needs to stay that way.

We can no longer justify traditions or behaviors we don’t agree with by saying, “That’s just the way it is.”

Nothing is permanent. Things that we believe to be undeniable are constantly altered. It’s easier than you think to challenge what’s wrong.

If archaelogists can revise ancient Egypt’s history, nothing is set in stone.

Ashley is a senior in LAS.