Though the word “volunteering” should bring a sense of well-being to our hearts, as busy college students, it can often sends a chill down our spine.
What will we be asked to do? Where will we have to go? When will we find the time?
It certainly isn’t that students don’t wish to better their community. But finding the time for major projects can be daunting.
OCU is service-learning oriented, meaning that all of its students will find themselves in a volunteering capacity of some sort during their years on campus. These volunteer experiences often leave students with a “topped-off” feeling: a feeling that we have completed our service, made a difference, felt good about it, and may now return to our regularly scheduled lives.
But what if there was a way to commit to an attitude of volunteerism every day of our lives? Instead of creating a stigma around the pressure of large-scale volunteering, I have endeavored to start a new thought-process this year of the Random Act of Kindness.
We were all initiated into the Random Act of Kindness (or RAK, as those in-the-kn0w call it) by the 2005 Haley Joel Osment classic Pay It Forward, a tale of an earnest young man trying to make the world a better place on tiny act at a time. While our acts of kindness will probably not be as dramatic as those depicted in the film, little things can make a huge difference in someone’s day.
I’ve compiled a list of some of my “pay it forward” projects, separated by time and money obligations. It’s important to take care of yourself during the craziness that is college. But one of the most motivating forces in your life can be doing good for others!
If you’ve got a little time…
–Go to a retirement home and spend time playing games or simply talking with the residents
–Visit the Boy’s and Girl’s Club and play with the kids
–Make some extra time and volunteer to teach a skill that you enjoy to others (good at yoga? love to knit? You could start somebody’s interest in their new favorite hobby!)
–Cook a meal for friends and have everyone over to eat together. One thing we miss out on in college is the beauty of a family meal.
*Take note, some of these places do require you to call ahead!
If you’ve only got a minute…
–Write a positive, encouraging note to a roommate, friend, teammate, or even a stranger. Let them know how they inspire you.
–In the same vein, write a note to a teacher or coach, letting them know the influence they have in your life
–Give up the closer parking spaces at the grocery store or movie theatre. Your walking a little farther ensures someone else a nice spot!
–Make sure to spend the time you do have with the person you’re with. Pay attention to them. Turn your phone off. You’d be surprised how much a little bit of attention can mean in a person’s day.
If you’ve got a buck or two…
–Buy a package of food (granola bars, beef jerky) and give it to those asking for help. They often get cash, but a little snack might brighten their day (make sure you don’t do this act alone).
–Donate a package of dog or cat food to the local humane society
–Buy coffee for the person in line behind you at Starbucks (this works especially well in the drive through!)
–Give a friend who is going through a difficult time a care package. This might include their favorite candy, something fun to read, cuddly socks or blankets, and a note to remind them how very important they are.
If you’re broke…
–Hold open the door for the person behind you. Think about how often you’ve had a door slammed in your face…it can make someone’s day instantly brighter!
–Address your waiter or cashier by name, if you see a name tag. It must be nice to be treated as a person, not an automaton.
–If you notice someone struggling or having a bad day, take a moment to remind them that you care and that you’re here to talk. You don’t have to drag their troubles out, but sometimes just knowing people do care can make a huge difference.
–Probably the most basic one of all…but say please and thank you. It can be easy to forget in the rush of our busy days how much little kindnesses mean.
While we sometimes aggrandize volunteering into huge tasks that take tons of effort, it can be as simple as a kind word or look. Here’s to a kinder campus this semester!
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