You always see things in the news about how people are out there changing the world in big ways. That's great, really. It's awesome that great things are happening in the world, but it can be a little discouraging at times. People like Malala Yousafzai are speaking to the UN and actively advocating for what they believe in, but when you're just an average college student, it can be hard (read: nearly impossible) to do something big like that.
I'm proposing that we stop focusing on trying to find that one "big thing" that we can do to change the world, and instead, do something small. You can find time in your day to do four, five, even just one thing for someone else. Whether it's proofreading a friend's paper or picking up trash around your dorm, you can make a difference by inspiring others to do the same. If you create a culture where it's the norm to support each other, then you are changing the world, in a way.
I always try to take care of my friends when they get sick, because we all know how awful that feels, right? And what better way to make them feel cared for and appreciated than by bringing them a cup of tea? It takes a few minutes to make, and the teabags themselves don't cost that much, so it really isn't a hassle at all, but that's not the point. The point is that you went out of your way to provide for a friend when they needed it, and the joy that you both get out of the experience is truly amazing. Sure, a cup of tea isn't life changing, but once you realize that you get as much enjoyment from these random acts of kindness as the recipients do, you'll be more likely to do something like that every day.
That's just one example, but there are so many things you could do to brighten someone's day or make someone feel better. As we head into finals season, and stress starts to run high, it'll be nice to get a better perspective. As strange as it may seem, there are, in fact, more important things than finals. Your relationships with the people around you, your own sanity (seriously, take a study break), the list could go on and on. You might even benefit more from doing this than the people around you, so get up, get out there and make a difference. You might find that changing the world isn't so hard; you just have to start with changing the world around you.
