“So now’s the time to look and look again at what you see; is that the way it ought to stay?”
This quote from Led Zeppelin has led me through many years of decisions, trials and errors, ups and downs, and reflections. I feel like the mass majority of college students reach a point where they begin to wonder if what they are doing is actually beneficial to their future.
I have recently started to volunteer my free time to the YMCA. What I have noticed is that, while cleaning windows and staircases, I have gained a rather strong appreciation for the feeling of helping others, even if it is merely dusting the banister with lemon oil. Where is the document that states, “If you’re a college student, spend your free time drinking mass amounts?” There are so many fruitful paths that all students can take in order to pass free time, yet still feel as if their time is worthwhile.
Not only will volunteers be cleaning, paper storing, organizing, etc. for the company of their choosing; their decision might also be the first rung of the ladder that leads to their career path. For example, if a student studying dietetics or sports medicine volunteers at the YMCA, their ambition and dedication might very well lead to a starting position that directly relates to their degree program. Volunteering isn’t simply cleaning and killing time. It builds character, instills values, and prepares the participant for experiences that far outweigh the visible future.
So what will you do with your spare time? Will you go out for a cold one, or take a few hours to help out a local business and possibly amp up your educational intake? The choice is yours…yet, it seems like a no-brainer.
For more information on volunteering at your local YMCA, visit the ‘Be Involved’ link on their website.
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