With Student Volunteering Week 2016 just around the corner, we take a look at the student volunteering journey. From fresh-faced first year to seasoned pro, we’ve got you covered.
1. Entering the Freshers’ Fair.
See you on the other side.
2. Being unsure if you even want to volunteer.
It could be good, but so could spending those extra few hours a week with Netflix. Decisions, decisions.
3. Deciding to give it a go, but not knowing where to begin.
Want to tutor at a local school? Serve food at a homeless shelter? Save the whales? The choice is yours.
4. Finding something you like the sound of.
Spending some of your Wednesday afternoon baking with older people at a residential home = getting that warm fuzzy feeling from helping others and eating cake. Win win.
5. Doing it again (and again, and again).
You may not have expected it, but catching up with Margaret over tea and flapjacks is now the highlight of your week.
6. Taking the next step and leading a project.
You’ve got this.
7. Getting your friends involved.
You know that everyone could benefit from volunteering, so you convince your friends to try something too.
8. Realising how many skills you’re developing through volunteering.
Communication? Check. Organisation? Check. Leadership? Check. Teamwork? Ditto.
9. Coming down after your social action high and reminiscing on your good deeds.
You wish you could spend even more of your time making a positive impact. The question is: what should you try next?
After graduation, maybe you’ll work in the charity sector. Or become a teacher. Or a social worker. Or a campaigner.
Whatever you choose, you know you’ve got the social action bug for life.
Student Volunteering Week, organised by Student Hubs in partnership with the National Union of Students (NUS), is taking place across the UK from 22-28 February. Over 100 colleges and universities are getting involved, so find out what’s going on near you.
Let us know what you’re up to using #SVW2016 and share your motivations for taking part in social action through #IVolunteerBecause.