By Srabon Nath
During the summer, students usually find themselves with a strange amount of free time
that they don’t know how to spend. I know that after school was over, I was taken aback by
how many responsibilities I didn’t have anymore. So what is a good way to make the most of
your summer? Besides traveling, doing summer programs, and/or prepping for the next year, one
way to utilize all your time is by volunteering.
Volunteering may just seem like cleaning up the park or helping out at a soup kitchen,
and while it can be doing those things, volunteering can also be a fun and productive experience.
One way that you can make volunteering fit into your interests is by doing something
where you help others using your skills. For example, I am quite interested in computer science
and I have some experience with coding in general. That’s why, if I was to volunteer, I would
pick something where I have to employ my coding skills. This could be something like teaching
others how to code. Spreading your knowledge to kids is a great way to not only solidify your
knowledge but also make a difference in the younger generation. Plus, using your skills more
will unlock opportunities for you later on.
Another way to make your volunteering experience catered to you is by doing something
that has been a big part of your life already. For instance, many people go to an institution where
they partake in religious activities. So if going to a church, mosque, or temple is something that
you enjoy, volunteering there will certainly be an enjoyable experience. Similarly, if there are
parts of your culture that you really enjoy, you can volunteer at cultural events. Another example
would be helping others using something that you have been doing your whole life. If you have
played a certain instrument for a long time, you can perhaps use your musical talent to perform at
a nursery.
Finally, take action on issues that you notice throughout your community and are
passionate about changing. If you have noticed anything in your neighborhood that bothers you
and you want to improve or alter, then by all means, you should either organize an effort to
change it or join an existing volunteering program.
If you want to do something productive with your time, volunteering during the summer
is a great way to do that. Plus, as many high school students are stressed about college,
volunteering is something that you can use later on for your college application.