It's not what you think it is...

Think about it, as a kid your mind probably drifted to those “Ugh I don’t wanna spend my Saturday helping out at a food bank, that won’t be fun,” or “Do I really have to wake up early to go do something I won’t get paid for?” They’re both very valid arguments, but the reality is that you may have had to sacrifice some of your oh so precious time as a kid or teenager, but subconsciously you picked up on habits, strategies, and mindsets that will most likely follow you for the rest of your life. For example, you helped out when you were 13 in town at a shelter, whether it was a food shelter, homeless shelter, it doesn’t matter, but you were there. Now, you definitely didn’t want to go, your mom dragged you out of bed and told you what to say and what not to say, and you’re low-key nervous but trying to show Mom that all is good. But after the few hours spent there you have a different appreciation for the life you live, and I can almost GUARANTEE you that every time you pass by a homeless shelter or a food pantry that thought of you at age 13 begrudgingly helping out that Saturday morning will pop into your head. These things matter, you may not know it but just helping out for an hour doing something you really don’t want to do sticks with you.

Fun?!

Not only do certain events stick with you, they can be fun. WHAT?! Community service isn’t fun!!! Yeah, you just definitely screamed that in your head because I did probably just read your mind (hold the applause please). Believe it or not, it can be enjoyable. As long as you’re donating your time, not getting paid, and somehow helping an organization or group of people benefit, you’re volunteering (it’s a crazy thought, I know). So at this point you’re like, “How do I do that?? That literally sounds like so like impossible.” (I hope you read that in the voice of a 14-year-old girl) Community service can be as fun as calling the local animal shelter and asking how to get involved with the animals. Then, you get service hours AND you can play with puppies! It’s doable, people.

I'M CHANGED!

Lastly, it may sound like every other adult who’s ever told you this but please, please, PLEASE trust me when I, a college freshman, says that yes, you do actually become a better person from it. No, I’m not saying we’re all assholes before we volunteer our time, I’m saying that after years of donating my time, effort, and money, you gain an appreciation for not just the life you live, but the value in everything from the hard work that goes into planning and organizing, to the clothes we have on our backs. Sure, the latter was extreme, but in some cases it really does ring true. I've been able to go to Tennessee, Kentucky, all over New England, Pennsylvania, and soon to be Colorado. It takes you places too!

Just try it.

It may seem like I just lectured the hell out of why you should change everything you’re doing in your life now to revolve around helping others and getting connected in the community, but really just think about it. Community Service turns into civic engagement, creating connections and building on those. When you’re in and/or done with college you’re probably going to pick up an internship in whatever profession life may take you, and chances are, it’ll be an unpaid one at that. So try to have fun now with anything and everything you can that’ll better you and the community; building homes, town cleanups, politics, community building, and everything in between, because if you don’t have fun with it NOW, you won’t know what to do with yourself when you’re enjoying yourself years from now at a job or internship, paid or unpaid!