10 Ways to Make a Difference During College

When all is said and done, your college or university experience might turn out to be a collection of foggy memories – some you’re proud of and others you’d like to forget. Sure, the education you received might serve you well, but perhaps you’ll look back, years after graduation, and question whether you could have made your post-secondary years a little more noteworthy.

Making a difference on campus is not only the sign of a great leader, but it also sets the tone for future career success and motivates you to excel at whatever you tackle in life. Below are some ways you can make the best of your college or university experience. By positively impacting others and engaging in the college community, you’ll be able to inspire yourself and your peers.

1) Volunteer

Volunteer work raises self-esteem and looks great on a resume, not to mention the benefits it brings to others, whatever the cause. Check out the career center at your college or university to find volunteer positions available on your campus. You might even gain knowledge or skills that will help you in a future job.

2) Organize Events

A leadership spirit is often all that’s needed to get the ball rolling for a good cause. If you’re going green and want others to join you, organize a swap event where students can exchange used items. Or, you could arrange a fundraiser for a charitable organization you support. Whatever the cause, you’ll be making a difference and getting some experience in event logistics!

3) Attend Student-Faculty Events

Look up your college newspaper and find out the events taking place. Once you find those that are up your alley, make it a point to attend them. Not only is it a great way to form new connections and know the faculty of your school, but you might also even end up learning something new that can help you in the long run. 

4) Join a Team

There’s no better way to hone your team-playing skills than in team sports. Joining an intramural team can be a great way to stay active, relieve stress, and build leadership and cooperation skills.

5) Join a Club 

If you’re not particularly sporty, you could join the theater club, the art club, or the music club. Basically, anything that allows you to pursue your hobbies and align with like-minded people. On the other hand, if you’re more academically inclined, you could always start a club that’s in sync with your major. 

6) Have Your Say

If you have something to say and are skilled at expressing yourself, why not write for the campus newspaper or website? Publishing your ideas is a great way to share valuable experiences with others and make a difference.

7) Offer to Tutor

We all excel at different subjects. If you’re good at explaining things and have the patience to teach others, offer to tutor in math, science, or English lab. Some students find it less intimidating to get help from a peer instead of an instructor.

8) Participate in Student Politics

Joining student councils or unions allows you to make a difference in campus life. Voicing your concerns or offering suggestions through these forums is a great way to be proactive and demonstrate leadership skills.

9) Take up a Cause

As any great leader will tell you, it’s important to give back to the society you come from. So if you’re passionate about a cause – say animal rights, gender discrimination, or anything that vibes with you – take it up and organize events and clubs around. Social work looks great on your CV and if you take the initiative on your own, it shows your ability to organize people like a true leader. 

10) Get an On-Campus Job

One of the many perks of getting an on-campus job is that they are more flexible and accommodating of your schedule as opposed to off-campus part-time jobs. Not only do you get paid for your efforts, but you also get to learn valuable skills, which you can add to your resume and help build your career overall. 

By taking part in different aspects of college life, you’ll be able to leave behind a lasting legacy when you graduate. Remember, don’t settle for the ordinary when your post-secondary experience could be extraordinary.