Each year our college has a group of students who branch off to different places around the coast to work with community service partners on hundreds of different projects... This year I was lucky enough to attend one of those community service trips.

One of my resolutions this year, was to start giving more than I take, and what better way to do that than a community service trip? So I knew right away I wanted to go.

The specific trip I went on was to an agricultural off the grid mountain farm in North Carolina, that was completely sustainable and Earth-friendly.

Once it got closer to the days before we left, I couldn't help but think how nice it would be to spend spring break on a beach or relaxing at home, because college is physically and mentally exhausting... But looking back now, I would do it all over again, and again.

I can definitely say it was a lot of hard work, but also tons of fun. Actually more fun I've ever had at any party or college event. We did things that as a busybody college student, you would never think of doing for fun. Like, have a 16 person snowball fight, wake up at 6:30 a.m. to feed horses apples, only to have them lick your coat because it was raining. Going on a hike up the mountain to see a view that pictures just can't capture. Or maybe sitting around a room at dinner time with constant laughter, so much that your cheeks and stomach start to hurt, and you can't help but cry.

On spring break it is definitely not everyone's goal to be up and moving by 7 a.m. every day, not even mine, but I have to say it felt pretty awesome. By noon every day we had either built almost a full elevated garden, restored a fruit farm/animal healing area, drug trees down the mountain for firewood, or built almost a complete deck, it was so, so joyful.

There were a few times where we had moments to ourselves, and I would sit in the silence of the mountains and look and listen, and think... How blessed and privileged am I to be here, helping other, in such an amazing place.

I kept count of the total time I had my phone on while at the farm... A grand total of 21 minutes within the span of 7 days, and it was so awesome.

Here I was thinking I was going on a trip to help restore nature, but little did I know I would learn lessons a textbook can't teach, and gain friends that sometimes take years to find. There was a sign on the farm that said "Be Here Now," and they told us that too many people don't live in the moment and enjoy the gift of time, and that was eye opening

I wish everyone could experience a community service trip, especially one like this because there is not a book or college class that can teach you the love and care we learned for life around us... and that is what we need more of in the world.

Next time you have the opportunity to choose between a beach party, and helping the world around us, which will you choose?