Spend Time, Not Money
Going to school in the city means that I am constantly passing by the less fortunate and being asked to donate money. The problem is, being in college means that I don’t exactly have money to spare. I have realized that being in college doesn’t mean that I can’t contribute; donating your time can be just as helpful and rewarding as donating your money.
There are tons of ways that you can help without breaking your college student budget. You may not be able to afford to buy dinner for every homeless person you pass on the street, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help feed them. Working in a soup kitchen can be an equally rewarding way to volunteer your time. You instantly see the results of your work and the people that you’re helping, which make it such a gratifying experience.
I know that when I first went to school, one of the things I found myself missing most were my pets. I think I probably missed my furry friends back home more than my family, so it was hard to adjust to a dorm setting where pets are a big no.
The way I remedied my situation was by volunteering at an animal shelter. Not only could I play with all the animals I wanted, but I was also helping them find homes and give them better lives. This is a fun way for any animal lover to get involved. Be careful though, you may just find yourself wishing that you could adopt all the pets yourself. I know I did.
Another simple way to help out is by donating old clothes, books, and school supplies. Throughout the school year a bunch of different organizations on campus would have clothing drives or donation boxes set up, where helping out is as easy as dropping off a bag of some old clothes or books. My personal favorite is the organization that collects old dresses for prom and homecoming, so that girls who can’t afford a dress for their dance can still go looking beautiful. I know that personally I was struggling to figure out any other use for my old prom dress, besides sitting in my closet and gathering dust; this was the perfect alternative so that it can still be worn.
Category: Extracurricular, Free Time
