OPINION: Volunteering improves mental health and helps the community at the same time

Evelyn Simpson
eSomethin staff

In high school, volunteering, while not actually required for graduation, is a positive step that students can take that benefits the community and the volunteer.

Elise Pham is a content creator who gives advice and tips on how to upgrade college applications and get into ivy league schools. One of the things she mainly focuses on is volunteer work and the importance of it. She believes that students looking into competitive schools should pay attention to volunteering, as it is one way to stand out to colleges. She believes that not only is the actual work important for the applicant but it also shows character building and gives a perspective that makes a student look more like a leader to colleges.

From a different angle, volunteering is good for the local community Perrysburg student Ava Kelly a student volunteer who has spent time working at student council events, hospice, and other places she believes that volunteering is a great way to help the community and build connections

Kelly also points out that not only can it help with connections, it can help other students find out more about certain fields and allows a pathway into learning about what someone would like to do after high school.

“It’s a good way to be part of something, and if you’re interested in a certain career it can give you experience” she noted.

Since most teens don’t have jobs yet, volunteering helps create life skills like time management, customer service, and communication. It also gives students an opportunity to explore fields they might be interested in.

Christine Albright, the director of careers and community service says volunteering helps students grow “colleges are looking for well rounded students they want to see experience not just academics.”

However volunteering is not just about being able to get into collage it also can help students in their everyday lives.

It improves student’s mental health and it makes people feel happier “helping others releases dopamine in the brain and gives people gratitude ” Albright states.

When asked about ideas for places to volunteer Albright said “Go where your interests are, there are opportunities everywhere and that and if you have a passion for something students are always more than welcome to reach out anytime”.

If you are looking for a way to get involved but have no idea where to start there are many organizations like The American Red Cross, local humane society, imagine station, and hospice. Are always looking for volunteers and it is a great opportunity to engage with the community.

At the end of the day volunteering has more of an impact than just helping you get into a school; it builds structure in the community and can make a big impact on everyone’s lives.

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