Make a Difference: Put Your Teen Energy and Enthusiasm to Work! by Liz Suneby
“A LT H O U G H T H E W O R L D IS FULL OF SUFFERING, IT IS FULL ALSO O F T H E O V E R C O M I N G O F I T. ” Helen Keller (1880 – 1968) This quote from Helen Keller—author, political activist, lecturer, and the first deaf and blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree—is one of my favorites. It inspires me to take responsibility for repairing the world and it gives me hope that I can make a difference. TeenLife developed this guide to inspire you to make the world a better place and to provide you with practical advice for doing so. If you are not sure where to begin, this guide will help you get going. If you already have ideas, this guide will give you new ones to consider. Lend a hand. It feels good to do good.
WHY COMMIT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE? Many middle and high schools require community service as a condition of graduation. Whether or not your school does, service offers many benefits—to others as well as to yourself.
But, by working with others to help chip away at universal problems, you can have a positive impact on the world, as well.
Accept responsibility as a citizen of the world Whether you choose to focus on people, animals, or the environment, there are countless ways to make a difference. In fact, there are so many problems in the world that it’s natural to question whether you can actually have a positive effect. Don’t get stymied. Accept responsibility for doing your part.
Gain a sense of empowerment Service gives you the chance to develop your leadership, communications, and interpersonal skills, as well as an overall sense of accomplishment. It broadens your worldview and even has the potential to introduce you to career choices.
Appreciate all that you have Make the world a little better Yes, you can single-handedly improve the lives of others. Consider the impact of helping an elderly neighbor who no longer can handle yard work, grocery shopping, or simply reading the Sunday newspaper. Or how you could brighten the days of children in the hospital by making cards, craft kits, and playlists of upbeat tunes. Or the importance of providing essentials to families in need by donating books, school supplies, and clothing to a local shelter. Other issues are too big for any one person to overcome alone, like saving animals from extinction, curing genetic diseases, reversing global warming, or ensuring access to clean water.
As a busy student, it is easy to obsess about the very real pressures you face. But seeing firsthand the challenges others face and the ways people overcome their challenges provides valuable perspective for your own life.
Strengthen your college application In-depth service experiences make you a more multi- dimensional and interesting person and consequently, a stronger candidate for acceptance. College admissions officers see through checklist or superficial involvement, so discover your philanthropic priorities and pursue them with passion.