how can i help my community as a student essay

How to Make a Lasting Impact on Your Community as a Student | Rustic Pathways

The importance of volunteering can't be overstated. check out this post to learn how to make a lasting impact on your community as a student..

How to Make a Lasting Impact on Your Community as a Student

Online climate impact fellowship offered in spring 2024.

The Climate Leaders Fellowship is a leadership development program for students (age 14-18) interested in climate change and environmental sustainability, and is provided by a collaboration between the Stanford University Deliberative Democracy Lab , the Rustic Pathways Foundation and Rustic Pathways.

Students are playing an increasingly important role in their communities in recent years. Using their tech knowledge and passion, many teens and young adults are making a lasting impact on their schools, neighborhoods and beyond.

You don’t have to look far for inspiration. You can read about well-known figures, such as environmentalist Greta Thunberg and education activist Malala Yousafzai. Plus, there are countless others like Mari Copeny, who brought attention to the Flint, Michigan water crisis, and so many more.   

Whether you best showcase your talents on the field or in the classroom, you can accomplish amazing feats with a little bit of time and a sincere desire to help. Have no doubt – You can truly make a difference in the world by getting involved in your local community.

Table of Contents

How to get involved in local community projects as a high school student, the importance of getting involved and helping local communities, benefits of volunteering for students, make a lasting impact in the world with rustic pathways.

Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities that’ll allow you to make positive changes in your community. Some opportunities are available through your school while finding others within the community will require a little research.

Before you choose a project, you should first think about what you want to get involved in. Here are five ways to get started.

1. Figure Out Your Interests

What are you passionate about? Chances are high that the cause or interest you hold close to your heart has a volunteer experience associated with it.

For example, if you love animals, you may consider volunteering at a local shelter. If you’re passionate about the environment , you can join a volunteer group that removes garbage from roadsides or plants new trees in local parks. If you love building and working with your hands, you may want to help build or remodel homes damaged by a fire, flood, or another disaster.

Are you unsure about which type of volunteer experience would interest you the most? Here are a few examples of common volunteer categories :

• Senior citizen services
• Women’s services
• Mental health services
• Animal rights
• Environmental conservation

This list is only a small sample of the many volunteer opportunities that may be available in your community. Even if you’re still not certain about which experience is right for you, that’s OK! It takes time to discover what you truly enjoy and care about, and the only way to do so is by trying.

If you’re still really unsure, you can always search a site like VolunteerMatch or check with your school, church or other community organization to see if they have a list of local needs. Then you can see which of these opportunities appeal to you.

2. Pay attention to local news and information

Often problems that affect your local community will be covered in the local media or on community sites. For instance, if you hear about shortages at the local food bank, you might set up a fundraiser to raise money for it. To figure out how to help your community, it’s helpful to research current local needs. If you address one of those, you’ll know your impact will be immediate and greatly appreciated.

3. Join Clubs or Other Extracurricular Activities

A great way to discover and develop a passion for volunteering is to participate in clubs or extracurricular activities that are already involved in local community projects. The clubs at your high school may have established ways to get involved in your local community. Some of them may be directly focused on community improvement projects, while others devote time each year to volunteering for a specific cause.

If possible, try to volunteer or take on leadership positions in these clubs and organizations . These roles will give you more responsibility and allow you to have more influence during the decision-making process.

When you act as a leader, you can encourage your group to increase the ways you give back to the community. If the organization or club doesn’t currently have a cause that it supports, you can start the discussion and help the group choose which volunteer opportunities you’ll complete together throughout the year.

4. Participate in Class Discussions and Be an Active Learner

Think about how much you’ve learned throughout your years in school—both in and out of the classroom. As you discover new ways to volunteer in your community, bring your thoughts and ideas back to the classroom with you. Many of the topics your classes cover throughout the year are directly related to a number of issues that impact your local community. History, civics, economics—these subjects and more continue to impact your local community every day.

As you explore the various social causes you could support, don’t be afraid to be an active learner by participating in class discussions. Ask questions to learn more about the state of our world and be courageous enough to express your own views, thoughts, and idea for positive change. Your teachers will take notice and encourage you to continue getting involved through discussions and volunteer work. In the future, some may even write you letters of recommendation that highlight your passion and kindness.

5. Volunteer Your Time to Help Local Community Organizations

Once you’ve explored your options and gotten involved in your school, you may want to do more. Local community organizations are great places to volunteer.

Every town or city has a wide variety of volunteer organizations and opportunities you can easily donate your time to. From established centers that provide food, clothing, safety, and housing to the community to newer groups that champion multiple community projects, these  organizations may include :

• Animal shelters
• Natural parks and community parks
• Food pantries
• Local libraries
• Museums and historical landmarks
• Political campaigns
• Community athletic centers
• Local schools
• Retirement homes
• Disaster recovery services
• Health-related services

You can choose one of these areas to advocate for, or you can lend your time to many different projects . The beauty of volunteering is that anyone with any interest and ability can make a positive impact on the lives of others. One project, one day, or even one hour is all it takes to change the world around you.

Historically teens and young adults have had a high rate of volunteerism. But now their help is needed more than ever. The University of Maryland’s DoGood Institute found in a recent report that nearly half of the nonprofit leaders surveyed said that recruiting enough volunteers is a big problem. At the same time the need for services has grown.

According to the Pew Research Center, common community problems include a lack of affordable housing and drug addiction. Generally, health-related issues and economic troubles are age-old concerns. On top of that, problems such as crime or natural disasters afflict a number of regions.

Acts of compassion made through volunteering can help make life better for those in your community faced with such life-altering situations. Supporting these causes not only benefits those presently struggling, but it also enables volunteer organizations to address similar challenges in the future. Since our own friends and family members may one day encounter similar obstacles, it’s important that we all do our part to better our lives through volunteering.

With that in mind, the importance of volunteering can’t be overstated. Any time you choose to donate your time to support a local cause, you’re helping make a difference.

1. Develop Skills That Stand Out

Volunteering is a fantastic learning experience for high school students. Though you may get involved with a community project because it showcases your current talents, you’ll also  develop new skills as you work . You can:

• Develop new technical skills, such as how to operate machinery and software
• Learn about logistics as you organize, collect, or distribute supplies
• Gain leadership skills that will benefit you in any group setting

These skills are key for both college and job applications . Plus, volunteering helps with time management. Between school, work, family, and friends, it may seem like an impossible feat to integrate volunteering into your schedule. However, studies have shown that those who volunteer actually feel like they have more time than those who don’t.

2. Boost Your Confidence and Self-Esteem

Perhaps the largest emotional benefit of volunteering is that it helps you develop self-esteem, improve your confidence, and increase your feelings of self-worth. Connecting with others helps stabilize your emotions, and studies show that volunteering  improves your mental health .

Most people feel good when they give back to a worthy cause.  Feelings of satisfaction and altruism , along with the pride of seeing your work improve the lives of others, are just a few of the emotional benefits volunteering provides.

Volunteering also allows you to find a new place within your community. High school students are going through many changes as they transition into adulthood. If you’ve ever felt alone or like you haven’t found the activity that suits you best, volunteering may help you discover something new about yourself.

Getting engaged with the community by volunteering surrounds you with new opportunities, friendships, and ways you can enjoy your time. Not only will you not feel alone, but you’ll also be helping other people who may feel lonely, too.

3. Learn Empathy and Compassion

Volunteering promotes empathy, which in turn promotes behaviors that benefit society. When we choose to donate our time to those in need, we form a deeper emotional connection to the world around us. These experiences allow us to see what life is like in someone else’s shoes and recognize the parallels in our own lives.

Many volunteers often discover that those who need our help are not much different than themselves. We all love our families and cherish our friendships. When you see others—especially fellow students—struggling through one of life’s common obstacles, not only can you relate to their situation, but you’re also inspired to help. This empathy leads us to share our compassion with others, bringing out the best in all of us.

Volunteering is  empathy in action . Although you aren’t volunteering your time and effort to get something in return, studies have shown that you do  receive an especially powerful benefit : love. There is an undeniable relationship between the love you put into the project and the love you receive in return.

4. Improve Your Social and Relationship Skills

Empathy and compassion enable us to view the world from a new perspective. As we internalize the struggles and challenges of others, we learn more about those we live, work, and go to school with.

The people you volunteer with feel this empathy, as well. When you work together, you make an emotional connection with one another. Volunteering alongside others with the same passion brings us closer together .

You won’t need to wait long to see these relationships blossom. Many people find that they connect quickly with their fellow volunteers and with the people they’re aiming to help.

5. Earn Relevant Work Experience

One of the benefits of volunteering in high school is that you earn relevant work experience that helps your career. Research shows that the  concept of civic-mindedness  is becoming increasingly more important in the workplace.

Employers are noticing that employees in the workforce—especially younger individuals—are socially-aware and try to work in fields or companies that share and reflect their values. The skills you can learn through volunteering showcase your strengths regarding teamwork and innovation, two qualities today’s employers consider important.

Aside from the actual skills, the social causes you’ve supported can also increase career development. Many companies and corporations actively support volunteer programs and encourage employees to engage with these organizations. Not only will your previous experience look good on your résumé, but the category in which you volunteered can help you build a positive relationship with an employer that advocates for the same causes.

6. Increase Your Happiness

When you choose to volunteer, you’re making the decision to selflessly work for the good of others without payment. This act of kindness is not only empowering, but it can also fill you with a  profound sense of purpose .

Whether you choose to volunteer in a capacity that has personal significance in your life—or if a new cause you’ve encountered finds a special place in your heart— you’ll be happier as you discover a new purpose.

Volunteering is a great way to impact the lives of your family, friends, and neighbors—and you don’t need to limit these acts of kindness to only your community. High school students can join volunteer programs that create lasting change around the world.

Rustic Pathways provides high school students with dozens of volunteer programs that allow you to make dynamic, lasting change in communities around the globe. Choose from 15 destinations where your help will make a positive impact.

Learn more about our  spring break and summer travel programs for high school students. Speak with one of our team members  to find the right travel experience for you. If you’re ready to get out into the world and make a difference, you can book your trip today. Enroll in your desired program to save your spot for a specific volunteer opportunity.

High school students have the power to change the world. Make a  lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most by joining a fun and enriching volunteer program  with Rustic Pathways.

Scott Ingram

Scott is the Director of Admissions at Rustic Pathways. He has spent the last 15 years in the student travel and experiential education world. Before helping families find the perfect Rustic Pathways program, he led gap year programs that took students around the world and spent three years teaching English in Japan.

Essay on How Can I Help My Community As A Student

Students are often asked to write an essay on How Can I Help My Community As A Student in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on How Can I Help My Community As A Student

Volunteering locally.

As a student, I can join local groups that clean parks or help at a food bank. Giving my time makes my town nicer and can make people happier. It’s good to start young, so helping feels normal as I grow up.

Being Kind at School

I can be friendly to everyone at school. If someone is alone, I can talk to them or invite them to play. This makes school a better place and can make others feel good.

Sharing Knowledge

I can help classmates with their homework. Teaching someone else helps me learn better, too. Sharing what I know brings us closer and improves our class.

Recycling and Saving Energy

I can recycle and turn off lights to save energy. These small acts help the planet. If we all do this, it adds up to a big change for our community.

250 Words Essay on How Can I Help My Community As A Student

Being kind to others.

As a student, one way to help your community is by being kind. This means doing nice things for people without expecting anything back. You can share your lunch with someone who forgot theirs or help a friend with homework. When you are kind, it makes others feel good and can make your school a happier place.

Cleaning Up

You can also help by keeping your community clean. This might be picking up trash at the park or helping to tidy up after a class event. A clean place is nicer for everyone and it shows that you care about where you live and learn.

Joining Community Projects

Many schools have groups that work on projects like planting trees or collecting food for people who need it. Joining these groups can be a great way to do something good for your town or city. You’ll meet new friends and learn how to work as part of a team.

Teaching Others

If you are good at something, like math or reading, you can help others by teaching them. You might spend time reading to younger kids or helping classmates who find a subject hard. Teaching is a way to share your skills and help others get better at something.

Being a Good Example

Finally, just by following rules and being a good student, you can help your community. When you behave well and work hard, you set a good example for others. This can encourage them to do the same, which can make your school and community a better place for everyone.

500 Words Essay on How Can I Help My Community As A Student

Being a good neighbor.

As a student, one of the simplest ways to help your community is by being a kind and caring neighbor. This means being friendly to the people who live around you. You can do small things like smiling and saying hello to your neighbors. If you see someone carrying heavy bags, offer to help them. During winter, you can shovel snow from an elderly person’s walkway. These small acts of kindness make your neighborhood a happier place for everyone.

Volunteering

Volunteering is another great way to help out. Many places need extra hands. You could spend a few hours at a local food bank, help out at an animal shelter, or join a group that cleans up parks and streets. Schools often know about volunteering opportunities, so ask your teachers or check notice boards for ideas.

Education and Tutoring

Sharing knowledge is a powerful way to give back. If you’re good at a subject like math, science, or reading, you can tutor other students who might be struggling. This can happen after school or during lunch breaks. Sometimes, you can even earn community service hours for this, and it’s a great way to make friends and learn to work with others.

Joining School Clubs and Teams

Being part of a school club or sports team is not just fun; it also allows you to contribute to your community. Clubs often run projects that help people. For example, the environment club might plant trees, and the student council might organize a charity drive. By joining these groups, you can work with others to make a big difference.

Recycling and Protecting the Environment

Taking care of the environment is a way to help your community and the whole planet. You can start recycling at home and encourage your friends to do the same. Also, you can join or start a club at school to raise awareness about reducing waste and keeping your community clean.

Being Informed and Spreading Awareness

Staying informed about what’s happening in your community is important. When you know about the issues your town or city is facing, you can spread the word and even come up with ideas to solve them. You could write about these issues in your school newspaper or talk about them during class discussions.

Respecting Others

Finally, a big part of helping your community is showing respect to everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. This means not bullying others and standing up for people who are being treated badly. When everyone feels safe and respected, the community becomes a better place to live.

In conclusion, as a student, there are many ways you can help your community. From simple acts of kindness to joining groups that do bigger projects, every little bit counts. Remember, even the smallest action can make a big difference in someone’s life. By being a good neighbor, volunteering, sharing your knowledge, participating in school activities, caring for the environment, staying informed, and respecting others, you can help build a community that everyone is proud to be a part of.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Dreams
• Essay on Hope And Positivity
• Essay on Honesty And Integrity

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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How to Write the Community Essay – Guide with Examples (2023-24)

September 6, 2023

Students applying to college this year will inevitably confront the community essay. In fact, most students will end up responding to several community essay prompts for different schools. For this reason, you should know more than simply how to approach the community essay as a genre. Rather, you will want to learn how to decipher the nuances of each particular prompt, in order to adapt your response appropriately. In this article, we’ll show you how to do just that, through several community essay examples. These examples will also demonstrate how to avoid cliché and make the community essay authentically and convincingly your own.

Emphasis on Community

Do keep in mind that inherent in the word “community” is the idea of multiple people. The personal statement already provides you with a chance to tell the college admissions committee about yourself as an individual. The community essay, however, suggests that you depict yourself among others. You can use this opportunity to your advantage by showing off interpersonal skills, for example. Or, perhaps you wish to relate a moment that forged important relationships. This in turn will indicate what kind of connections you’ll make in the classroom with college peers and professors.

Apart from comprising numerous people, a community can appear in many shapes and sizes. It could be as small as a volleyball team, or as large as a diaspora. It could fill a town soup kitchen, or spread across five boroughs. In fact, due to the internet, certain communities today don’t even require a physical place to congregate. Communities can form around a shared identity, shared place, shared hobby, shared ideology, or shared call to action. They can even arise due to a shared yet unforeseen circumstance.

What is the Community Essay All About?             

In a nutshell, the community essay should exhibit three things:

• An aspect of yourself, 2. in the context of a community you belonged to, and 3. how this experience may shape your contribution to the community you’ll join in college.

It may look like a fairly simple equation: 1 + 2 = 3. However, each college will word their community essay prompt differently, so it’s important to look out for additional variables. One college may use the community essay as a way to glimpse your core values. Another may use the essay to understand how you would add to diversity on campus. Some may let you decide in which direction to take it—and there are many ways to go!

To get a better idea of how the prompts differ, let’s take a look at some real community essay prompts from the current admission cycle.

Sample 2023-2024 Community Essay Prompts

1) brown university.

“Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)”

A close reading of this prompt shows that Brown puts particular emphasis on place. They do this by using the words “home,” “College Hill,” and “where they came from.” Thus, Brown invites writers to think about community through the prism of place. They also emphasize the idea of personal growth or change, through the words “inspired or challenged you.” Therefore, Brown wishes to see how the place you grew up in has affected you. And, they want to know how you in turn will affect their college community.

“NYU was founded on the belief that a student’s identity should not dictate the ability for them to access higher education. That sense of opportunity for all students, of all backgrounds, remains a part of who we are today and a critical part of what makes us a world-class university. Our community embraces diversity, in all its forms, as a cornerstone of the NYU experience.

We would like to better understand how your experiences would help us to shape and grow our diverse community. Please respond in 250 words or less.”

Here, NYU places an emphasis on students’ “identity,” “backgrounds,” and “diversity,” rather than any physical place. (For some students, place may be tied up in those ideas.) Furthermore, while NYU doesn’t ask specifically how identity has changed the essay writer, they do ask about your “experience.” Take this to mean that you can still recount a specific moment, or several moments, that work to portray your particular background. You should also try to link your story with NYU’s values of inclusivity and opportunity.

3) University of Washington

“Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. (300 words max) Tip: Keep in mind that the UW strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints.”

UW ’s community essay prompt may look the most approachable, for they help define the idea of community. You’ll notice that most of their examples (“families,” “cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood”…) place an emphasis on people. This may clue you in on their desire to see the relationships you’ve made. At the same time, UW uses the words “individual” and “richly diverse.” They, like NYU, wish to see how you fit in and stand out, in order to boost campus diversity.

Writing Your First Community Essay

Begin by picking which community essay you’ll write first. (For practical reasons, you’ll probably want to go with whichever one is due earliest.) Spend time doing a close reading of the prompt, as we’ve done above. Underline key words. Try to interpret exactly what the prompt is asking through these keywords.

Next, brainstorm. I recommend doing this on a blank piece of paper with a pencil. Across the top, make a row of headings. These might be the communities you’re a part of, or the components that make up your identity. Then, jot down descriptive words underneath in each column—whatever comes to you. These words may invoke people and experiences you had with them, feelings, moments of growth, lessons learned, values developed, etc. Now, narrow in on the idea that offers the richest material and that corresponds fully with the prompt.

Lastly, write! You’ll definitely want to describe real moments, in vivid detail. This will keep your essay original, and help you avoid cliché. However, you’ll need to summarize the experience and answer the prompt succinctly, so don’t stray too far into storytelling mode.

How To Adapt Your Community Essay

Once your first essay is complete, you’ll need to adapt it to the other colleges involving community essays on your list. Again, you’ll want to turn to the prompt for a close reading, and recognize what makes this prompt different from the last. For example, let’s say you’ve written your essay for UW about belonging to your swim team, and how the sports dynamics shaped you. Adapting that essay to Brown’s prompt could involve more of a focus on place. You may ask yourself, how was my swim team in Alaska different than the swim teams we competed against in other states?

Once you’ve adapted the content, you’ll also want to adapt the wording to mimic the prompt. For example, let’s say your UW essay states, “Thinking back to my years in the pool…” As you adapt this essay to Brown’s prompt, you may notice that Brown uses the word “reflection.” Therefore, you might change this sentence to “Reflecting back on my years in the pool…” While this change is minute, it cleverly signals to the reader that you’ve paid attention to the prompt, and are giving that school your full attention.

What to Avoid When Writing the Community Essay  

• Avoid cliché. Some students worry that their idea is cliché, or worse, that their background or identity is cliché. However, what makes an essay cliché is not the content, but the way the content is conveyed. This is where your voice and your descriptions become essential.
• Avoid giving too many examples. Stick to one community, and one or two anecdotes arising from that community that allow you to answer the prompt fully.
• Don’t exaggerate or twist facts. Sometimes students feel they must make themselves sound more “diverse” than they feel they are. Luckily, diversity is not a feeling. Likewise, diversity does not simply refer to one’s heritage. If the prompt is asking about your identity or background, you can show the originality of your experiences through your actions and your thinking.

Community Essay Examples and Analysis

Brown university community essay example.

I used to hate the NYC subway. I’ve taken it since I was six, going up and down Manhattan, to and from school. By high school, it was a daily nightmare. Spending so much time underground, underneath fluorescent lighting, squashed inside a rickety, rocking train car among strangers, some of whom wanted to talk about conspiracy theories, others who had bedbugs or B.O., or who manspread across two seats, or bickered—it wore me out. The challenge of going anywhere seemed absurd. I dreaded the claustrophobia and disgruntlement.

Yet the subway also inspired my understanding of community. I will never forget the morning I saw a man, several seats away, slide out of his seat and hit the floor. The thump shocked everyone to attention. What we noticed: he appeared drunk, possibly homeless. I was digesting this when a second man got up and, through a sort of awkward embrace, heaved the first man back into his seat. The rest of us had stuck to subway social codes: don’t step out of line. Yet this second man’s silent actions spoke loudly. They said, “I care.”

That day I realized I belong to a group of strangers. What holds us together is our transience, our vulnerabilities, and a willingness to assist. This community is not perfect but one in motion, a perpetual work-in-progress. Now I make it my aim to hold others up. I plan to contribute to the Brown community by helping fellow students and strangers in moments of precariousness.    

Brown University Community Essay Example Analysis

Here the student finds an original way to write about where they come from. The subway is not their home, yet it remains integral to ideas of belonging. The student shows how a community can be built between strangers, in their responsibility toward each other. The student succeeds at incorporating key words from the prompt (“challenge,” “inspired” “Brown community,” “contribute”) into their community essay.

UW Community Essay Example

I grew up in Hawaii, a world bound by water and rich in diversity. In school we learned that this sacred land was invaded, first by Captain Cook, then by missionaries, whalers, traders, plantation owners, and the U.S. government. My parents became part of this problematic takeover when they moved here in the 90s. The first community we knew was our church congregation. At the beginning of mass, we shook hands with our neighbors. We held hands again when we sang the Lord’s Prayer. I didn’t realize our church wasn’t “normal” until our diocese was informed that we had to stop dancing hula and singing Hawaiian hymns. The order came from the Pope himself.

Eventually, I lost faith in God and organized institutions. I thought the banning of hula—an ancient and pure form of expression—seemed medieval, ignorant, and unfair, given that the Hawaiian religion had already been stamped out. I felt a lack of community and a distrust for any place in which I might find one. As a postcolonial inhabitant, I could never belong to the Hawaiian culture, no matter how much I valued it. Then, I was shocked to learn that Queen Ka’ahumanu herself had eliminated the Kapu system, a strict code of conduct in which women were inferior to men. Next went the Hawaiian religion. Queen Ka’ahumanu burned all the temples before turning to Christianity, hoping this religion would offer better opportunities for her people.

Community Essay (Continued)

I’m not sure what to make of this history. Should I view Queen Ka’ahumanu as a feminist hero, or another failure in her islands’ tragedy? Nothing is black and white about her story, but she did what she thought was beneficial to her people, regardless of tradition. From her story, I’ve learned to accept complexity. I can disagree with institutionalized religion while still believing in my neighbors. I am a product of this place and their presence. At UW, I plan to add to campus diversity through my experience, knowing that diversity comes with contradictions and complications, all of which should be approached with an open and informed mind.

UW Community Essay Example Analysis

This student also manages to weave in words from the prompt (“family,” “community,” “world,” “product of it,” “add to the diversity,” etc.). Moreover, the student picks one of the examples of community mentioned in the prompt, (namely, a religious group,) and deepens their answer by addressing the complexity inherent in the community they’ve been involved in. While the student displays an inner turmoil about their identity and participation, they find a way to show how they’d contribute to an open-minded campus through their values and intellectual rigor.

What’s Next

For more on supplemental essays and essay writing guides, check out the following articles:

• How to Write the Why This Major Essay + Example
• How to Write the Overcoming Challenges Essay + Example
• How to Start a College Essay – 12 Techniques and Tips
• College Essay

Kaylen Baker

With a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Translation from Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Kaylen has been working with students on their writing for over five years. Previously, Kaylen taught a fiction course for high school students as part of Columbia Artists/Teachers, and served as an English Language Assistant for the French National Department of Education. Kaylen is an experienced writer/translator whose work has been featured in Los Angeles Review, Hybrid, San Francisco Bay Guardian, France Today, and Honolulu Weekly, among others.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write a great community service essay.

College Admissions , Extracurriculars

Are you applying to a college or a scholarship that requires a community service essay? Do you know how to write an essay that will impress readers and clearly show the impact your work had on yourself and others?

Read on to learn step-by-step instructions for writing a great community service essay that will help you stand out and be memorable.

What Is a Community Service Essay? Why Do You Need One?

A community service essay is an essay that describes the volunteer work you did and the impact it had on you and your community. Community service essays can vary widely depending on specific requirements listed in the application, but, in general, they describe the work you did, why you found the work important, and how it benefited people around you.

Community service essays are typically needed for two reasons:

#1: To Apply to College

• Some colleges require students to write community service essays as part of their application or to be eligible for certain scholarships.
• You may also choose to highlight your community service work in your personal statement.

#2: To Apply for Scholarships

• Some scholarships are specifically awarded to students with exceptional community service experiences, and many use community service essays to help choose scholarship recipients.
• Green Mountain College offers one of the most famous of these scholarships. Their "Make a Difference Scholarship" offers full tuition, room, and board to students who have demonstrated a significant, positive impact through their community service

Getting Started With Your Essay

In the following sections, I'll go over each step of how to plan and write your essay. I'll also include sample excerpts for you to look through so you can get a better idea of what readers are looking for when they review your essay.

Step 1: Know the Essay Requirements

Before your start writing a single word, you should be familiar with the essay prompt. Each college or scholarship will have different requirements for their essay, so make sure you read these carefully and understand them.

Specific things to pay attention to include:

• Length requirement
• Application deadline
• The main purpose or focus of the essay
• If the essay should follow a specific structure

Below are three real community service essay prompts. Read through them and notice how much they vary in terms of length, detail, and what information the writer should include.

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

"Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words."

From the Laura W. Bush Traveling Scholarship:

"Essay (up to 500 words, double spaced) explaining your interest in being considered for the award and how your proposed project reflects or is related to both UNESCO's mandate and U.S. interests in promoting peace by sharing advances in education, science, culture, and communications."

From the LULAC National Scholarship Fund:

"Please type or print an essay of 300 words (maximum) on how your academic studies will contribute to your personal & professional goals. In addition, please discuss any community service or extracurricular activities you have been involved in that relate to your goals."

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Even after you understand what the essay should be about, it can still be difficult to begin writing. Answer the following questions to help brainstorm essay ideas. You may be able to incorporate your answers into your essay.

• What community service activity that you've participated in has meant the most to you?
• What is your favorite memory from performing community service?
• Why did you decide to begin community service?
• What made you decide to volunteer where you did?
• How has your community service changed you?
• How has your community service helped others?
• How has your community service affected your plans for the future?

You don't need to answer all the questions, but if you find you have a lot of ideas for one of two of them, those may be things you want to include in your essay.

Writing Your Essay

How you structure your essay will depend on the requirements of the scholarship or school you are applying to. You may give an overview of all the work you did as a volunteer, or highlight a particularly memorable experience. You may focus on your personal growth or how your community benefited.

Regardless of the specific structure requested, follow the guidelines below to make sure your community service essay is memorable and clearly shows the impact of your work.

Samples of mediocre and excellent essays are included below to give you a better idea of how you should draft your own essay.

Step 1: Hook Your Reader In

You want the person reading your essay to be interested, so your first sentence should hook them in and entice them to read more. A good way to do this is to start in the middle of the action. Your first sentence could describe you helping build a house, releasing a rescued animal back to the wild, watching a student you tutored read a book on their own, or something else that quickly gets the reader interested. This will help set your essay apart and make it more memorable.

Compare these two opening sentences:

"I have volunteered at the Wishbone Pet Shelter for three years."

"The moment I saw the starving, mud-splattered puppy brought into the shelter with its tail between its legs, I knew I'd do whatever I could to save it."

The first sentence is a very general, bland statement. The majority of community service essays probably begin a lot like it, but it gives the reader little information and does nothing to draw them in. On the other hand, the second sentence begins immediately with action and helps persuade the reader to keep reading so they can learn what happened to the dog.

Step 2: Discuss the Work You Did

Once you've hooked your reader in with your first sentence, tell them about your community service experiences. State where you work, when you began working, how much time you've spent there, and what your main duties include. This will help the reader quickly put the rest of the essay in context and understand the basics of your community service work.

Not including basic details about your community service could leave your reader confused.

Step 3: Include Specific Details

It's the details of your community service that make your experience unique and memorable, so go into the specifics of what you did.

For example, don't just say you volunteered at a nursing home; talk about reading Mrs. Johnson her favorite book, watching Mr. Scott win at bingo, and seeing the residents play games with their grandchildren at the family day you organized. Try to include specific activities, moments, and people in your essay. Having details like these let the readers really understand what work you did and how it differs from other volunteer experiences.

Compare these two passages:

"For my volunteer work, I tutored children at a local elementary school. I helped them improve their math skills and become more confident students."

"As a volunteer at York Elementary School, I worked one-on-one with second and third graders who struggled with their math skills, particularly addition, subtraction, and fractions. As part of my work, I would create practice problems and quizzes and try to connect math to the students' interests. One of my favorite memories was when Sara, a student I had been working with for several weeks, told me that she enjoyed the math problems I had created about a girl buying and selling horses so much that she asked to help me create math problems for other students."

The first passage only gives basic information about the work done by the volunteer; there is very little detail included, and no evidence is given to support her claims. How did she help students improve their math skills? How did she know they were becoming more confident?

The second passage is much more detailed. It recounts a specific story and explains more fully what kind of work the volunteer did, as well as a specific instance of a student becoming more confident with her math skills. Providing more detail in your essay helps support your claims as well as make your essay more memorable and unique.

Step 4: Show Your Personality

It would be very hard to get a scholarship or place at a school if none of your readers felt like they knew much about you after finishing your essay, so make sure that your essay shows your personality. The way to do this is to state your personal strengths, then provide examples to support your claims. Take some time to think about which parts of your personality you would like your essay to highlight, then write about specific examples to show this.

• If you want to show that you're a motivated leader, describe a time when you organized an event or supervised other volunteers.
• If you want to show your teamwork skills, write about a time you helped a group of people work together better.
• If you want to show that you're a compassionate animal lover, write about taking care of neglected shelter animals and helping each of them find homes.

Step 5: State What You Accomplished

After you have described your community service and given specific examples of your work, you want to begin to wrap your essay up by stating your accomplishments. What was the impact of your community service? Did you build a house for a family to move into? Help students improve their reading skills? Clean up a local park? Make sure the impact of your work is clear; don't be worried about bragging here.

If you can include specific numbers, that will also strengthen your essay. Saying "I delivered meals to 24 home-bound senior citizens" is a stronger example than just saying "I delivered meals to lots of senior citizens."

Also be sure to explain why your work matters. Why is what you did important? Did it provide more parks for kids to play in? Help students get better grades? Give people medical care who would otherwise not have gotten it? This is an important part of your essay, so make sure to go into enough detail that your readers will know exactly what you accomplished and how it helped your community.

"My biggest accomplishment during my community service was helping to organize a family event at the retirement home. The children and grandchildren of many residents attended, and they all enjoyed playing games and watching movies together."

"The community service accomplishment that I'm most proud of is the work I did to help organize the First Annual Family Fun Day at the retirement home. My job was to design and organize fun activities that senior citizens and their younger relatives could enjoy. The event lasted eight hours and included ten different games, two performances, and a movie screening with popcorn. Almost 200 residents and family members attended throughout the day. This event was important because it provided an opportunity for senior citizens to connect with their family members in a way they aren't often able to. It also made the retirement home seem more fun and enjoyable to children, and we have seen an increase in the number of kids coming to visit their grandparents since the event."

The second passage is stronger for a variety of reasons. First, it goes into much more detail about the work the volunteer did. The first passage only states that she helped "organize a family event." That really doesn't tell readers much about her work or what her responsibilities were. The second passage is much clearer; her job was to "design and organize fun activities."

The second passage also explains the event in more depth. A family day can be many things; remember that your readers are likely not familiar with what you're talking about, so details help them get a clearer picture.

Lastly, the second passage makes the importance of the event clear: it helped residents connect with younger family members, and it helped retirement homes seem less intimidating to children, so now some residents see their grand kids more often.

Step 6: Discuss What You Learned

One of the final things to include in your essay should be the impact that your community service had on you. You can discuss skills you learned, such as carpentry, public speaking, animal care, or another skill.

You can also talk about how you changed personally. Are you more patient now? More understanding of others? Do you have a better idea of the type of career you want? Go into depth about this, but be honest. Don't say your community service changed your life if it didn't because trite statements won't impress readers.

In order to support your statements, provide more examples. If you say you're more patient now, how do you know this? Do you get less frustrated while playing with your younger siblings? Are you more willing to help group partners who are struggling with their part of the work? You've probably noticed by now that including specific examples and details is one of the best ways to create a strong and believable essay .

"As a result of my community service, I learned a lot about building houses and became a more mature person."

"As a result of my community service, I gained hands-on experience in construction. I learned how to read blueprints, use a hammer and nails, and begin constructing the foundation of a two-bedroom house. Working on the house could be challenging at times, but it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work and be more willing to pitch in when I see someone needs help. My dad has just started building a shed in our backyard, and I offered to help him with it because I know from my community service how much work it is. I also appreciate my own house more, and I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head."

The second passage is more impressive and memorable because it describes the skills the writer learned in more detail and recounts a specific story that supports her claim that her community service changed her and made her more helpful.

Step 7: Finish Strong

Just as you started your essay in a way that would grab readers' attention, you want to finish your essay on a strong note as well. A good way to end your essay is to state again the impact your work had on you, your community, or both. Reiterate how you changed as a result of your community service, why you found the work important, or how it helped others.

Compare these two concluding statements:

"In conclusion, I learned a lot from my community service at my local museum, and I hope to keep volunteering and learning more about history."

"To conclude, volunteering at my city's American History Museum has been a great experience. By leading tours and participating in special events, I became better at public speaking and am now more comfortable starting conversations with people. In return, I was able to get more community members interested in history and our local museum. My interest in history has deepened, and I look forward to studying the subject in college and hopefully continuing my volunteer work at my university's own museum."

The second passage takes each point made in the first passage and expands upon it. In a few sentences, the second passage is able to clearly convey what work the volunteer did, how she changed, and how her volunteer work benefited her community.

The author of the second passage also ends her essay discussing her future and how she'd like to continue her community service, which is a good way to wrap things up because it shows your readers that you are committed to community service for the long-term.

What's Next?

Are you applying to a community service scholarship or thinking about it? We have a complete list of all the community service scholarships available to help get your search started!

Do you need a community service letter as well? We have a step-by-step guide that will tell you how to get a great reference letter from your community service supervisor.

Thinking about doing community service abroad? Before you sign up, read our guide on some of the hazards of international volunteer trips and how to know if it's the right choice for you.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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The Community Essay for the Common App Supplements

Mark montgomery.

• July 24, 2023

How do you write the community essay for the Common App? Many college applications require supplemental essays. A common supplementary question asks you to consider and write about a community to which you belong. 

The definition of community is open to interpretation and can be difficult to pin down. We each belong to a wide variety of communities ranging from our family and friend groups to being members of the global community.  

My Communities 

For example, I belong to a bunch of different communities. I sing in a choir, so I’m part of the community of the Colorado Chorale community (and within that community, I’m a member of the tenor section). I go to see plays a lot, so I’m a member of the “theater-going” community. Birdwatching can be fun, I find, so I belong to the “community of birdwatchers.” I belong to a club or two, so I’m a member or those communities. I belong to a political party, which is a community in a sense. I went to Dartmouth , so I belong to a community of alumni, both locally and globally. Same with my grad school: my friends and I still talk about belonging to the “ Fletcher Community .” 

When I lived in Hong Kong, I was a member of the American community, which was part of the large expatriate community. I speak French and live in Denver. Therefore, I’m part of the community of Denverites who speak French as a second language. I live in a specific neighborhood in the city of Denver in the State of Colorado in the United States. All of those communities define me in one way or another. Finally, at a more intimate level, I also belong to a family community that is very important to me.

Really, when you stop to think about it, we all belong to a large number of overlapping communities. Think of a Venn diagram with lots of overlapping circles—and we are at that tiny dot in the center where each of those circles overlaps. 

Why write the community essay for the Common App?

Why do colleges ask you to write this community essay? In writing about community as it relates to you, you reveal important details at the core of who you are. Colleges are hoping to bring students to their campuses who will contribute in a positive way to campus culture, whether intellectually, socially, or through their extracurricular activities. 

They want students who will be successful in their new community and enrich the college through their varied backgrounds, experiences, accomplishments, activities and behavior. Thus, the way you answer this prompt will help them imagine if you would be a good addition to their campus community.

Here are some examples of the community essay prompt:

• Please complete the following, and have a little fun doing so: “I appreciate my community because …” (up to 300  characters)
• At MIT , we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being good friends. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc. (200-250 words)
• What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?  (up to 350 words)
• Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.  (up to 300 words)
• Macalester is a community that includes people from many different backgrounds, some who have lived around the world and others who have lived in one place their entire lives. Please write an essay about how your background, experiences, or outlook might add to the Mac community, academically and personally. (up to 500 words)*

* Note: this last prompt doesn’t ask about a community to which you currently belong, but rather asks you to reflect on what you will bring to the community. This essay is a mix of activities and community essays. However, this essay should emphasize what the applicant would add to the campus community.

The community essay vs. the community service essay

Notice that this essay is not narrowly focused on any service you might provide to your community. Of course, it is entirely possible that your involvement in a community may include some sort of involvement that helps to promote the community and the interests of its members in some way.  

However, the community essay prompts do not specifically ask you to talk about this service. The prompts want you to think about what it means to “belong,” and how you conceive of yourself in the larger world. A sense of community may, indeed, lead you to act in certain ways to advance a cause, donate your time, or exert your energies to meet the needs of your community. Your actions certainly may become part of this community essay as a way to demonstrate the ways in which you identify with—and contribute to—this community. But the focus of this essay is on that sense of belonging. 

Service to your community—or to someone else’s?

To put a finer point to it, it is possible to provide “community service” to communities to which we do not belong. We might donate time to the homeless community—but that does not make us homeless. We might spend time working with refugees, even if we, ourselves, are not refugees. Or while we might enjoy good health, we still might donate time to make meals for the critically ill.

So make sure that when you write the community essay you zero in on a community that defines you, and not on the service you devote to a community that is not your own.  

When preparing for the community essay for the Common App, DO THESE THINGS:

Think carefully about your choice of community.

The community you choose says a lot about you. Think carefully about what message even just the choice of community might convey to your reader. In fact, you may even want to start by asking yourself “What aspects of who I am do I want the reader to know?” and then pick the community that will do that in the best possible way. Think, too, how your choice can help you differentiate yourself and share important insight into who you are. 

Factors for you to consider as you brainstorm the community essay for the Common App:

• Which communities are most important to you and why?
• What do these communities say about you that you haven’t shared with your reader elsewhere in your application?
• What roles have you played in these communities?
• How would you measure the impact of your participation in these communities?
• What does your participation in these communities say about your character, qualities, and how you interact with the world around you?
• What does the overall message say about you as a future college student?

Use this as an opportunity to reveal more about yourself

This prompt isn’t just to elaborate on your community; this is another opportunity to reveal important qualities about yourself. Explain why this community is so important to you. Write about what you learned about yourself and how it has shaped who you are. Reveal how you have made contributions to this community.  

Show, don’t tell

Like every essay, the details show your reader what you want them to know about you. Be specific, but selective, with the details you include. Every word should contribute to the message you want to share with your reader. If you have space, share an anecdote to help the reader visualize the qualities that you are trying to share.

Ensure you answer the prompt fully and directly

Some of these prompts are simple and short, but other schools have long prompts. Don’t get lost in answering the first part of the prompt and forget about the remainder. Re-read the prompt after you have drafted your ideas to make sure you’ve addressed everything. 

In addition, sometimes, if you have multiple applications that ask a “community” question, you may be tempted to simply repurpose the same exact essay from one application to the other. Beware! Each prompt will have different nuances to it, and you will need to ensure that you are actually answering the prompt that is being asked. You can certainly re-use the content from one application to the next, but you should tailor how you express those ideas so that they match the prompt.

When drafting the community essay for the Common App, DON’T DO these things

Don’t be afraid to “think outside of the box”.

Some communities to which we belong are obvious because we participate in them on a daily basis. These would include our families and our friend groups. Others are obvious because they are clearly defined: the football team or student government. But what about those informal communities, occasional communities, or hard-to-define communities to which you might belong? Are you a crafty person who blogs about your creations with an online community?

Do you belong to a book group in your neighborhood? Are you a classic car connoisseur? Even writing about things that might not seem like natural “communities” can work quite well as long as they reveal important aspects of who you are. For example, we’ve read a successful “community” essay about a student who belonged to a community of anonymous subway riders. We read another about a community of students who wear crazy socks to school. 

Don’t share obvious details

The detail about the community is not the most important part of your response, even if the prompt does say to “describe a community to which you belong.” Consider only sharing those details about the community that ties into what you are trying to share about yourself. For example, most drama groups put on performances for the public.

But not all drama groups are community-based and have participants ranging in age from 9 to 99. If part of your story is about this multi-generational community, then this detail plays a part in your story. Include those details that play a role in why the community is important or impactful for you.

Remember these things about the community essay for the Common App

No matter which community you choose to write about, you want to be sure that you reflect deeply about why this community is important to you. If you have a longer word count, you can consider using an anecdote to share with the reader, but for the shorter prompts, keep your writing personal, but just more to the point.

And don’t lose sight of the reason that you are writing this essay. You are applying to be a part of a new community. You want to show that you have a deep appreciation for the sense of satisfaction, dedication, and attachment that comes with being a member of a community. The purpose is to demonstrate that you know how to nurture the community and how you nourish others’ sense of belonging in that circle.  

Colleges want to know that you will keep the flame of that college community alive, even as you graduate and move on with your life. The admissions office wants to know that you will cherish and contribute to the community that they already call their own. Convince them that you deserve to belong.

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How to Write the MIT “Community” Essay

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Hale Jaeger in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered

What is a community.

• Impact and Personal Significance

Example #1: Tutoring a Friend

Example #2: managing food waste.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is consistently ranked as one of the top five universities in the nation, according to US News and World Report. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT is known for its rigorous STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), business, and entrepreneurship programs. It uses its own application system called MyMIT instead of Common Application, and applicants are required to submit five essays. The third essay prompt reads:

“At MIT, we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc. (225 words)”

In this article, we discuss how to approach the prompt and provide tips for writing your essay. For an overview of the five essay prompts and guidance on how to approach them, check out our post on how to write the MIT application essays .

This prompt asks you to reflect on the impact that you have had on your community and the specific ways that you have worked to improve the lives of others within it. A community is defined broadly and includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: 

• Your nuclear or extended family
• Clubs and teams that you are a member of
• The street or neighborhood where you live
• A place where you work
• A religious community or house of worship
• A racial or ethnic group

Impact and Personal Significance

The specific way that you have contributed to the community you choose to write about doesn’t need to be award winning or impressive. You could write about being a good friend, taking care of your neighbor’s pets, or hosting a weekly coffee hour for members of your church. Anything from your life is worth writing about as long as you have made a positive, measurable, and clear impact on the lives of others.

Beyond having concrete outcomes, you should also have gained something from this experience, such as a new perspective or understanding of yourself and the world around you. It’s important that you communicate how you have changed and grown as a result of this experience. By weaving together the impact of your contribution to others with its significance to you personally, you demonstrate that you not only know how to give of yourself but also that the act of giving is something from which you derive meaning.

Ultimately, this essay is used by MIT admissions officers to predict who you will be in the MIT community based on how you interact with and care for others and your ability to turn empathy into action and direct service. Admissions officers want to see that you are generous in spirit, eager to make a difference, and care deeply about adding value to your community.

For example, suppose an applicant writes about tutoring a friend on their varsity soccer team in mathematics. The person was struggling in math class, worried about failing, and feeling really demoralized. The applicant writes about offering to tutor that friend pro bono because they know that money is tight for the friend’s family. After working together five days a week for two months, the friend’s math test scores start improving, and they finally get their first A on a test. Beyond the improved test scores, the friend starts to really understand and internalize various mathematical concepts and problem-solving techniques to the point where math starts to become fun and interesting. 

The applicant should write not only about the positive impact (improved grades and outlook) on their friend but also how the experience was personally significant and illuminating. Perhaps this experience has inspired them to seriously consider a career in teaching because helping others understand difficult concepts is meaningful work to them.

Consider another example. An applicant is shocked to find out that their school generates a sizable amount of food waste. Instead of dumping the waste into the landfill, the applicant decides to use their position on the student council to liaise with a sustainability group to develop a two-pronged system of composting and donating leftover food. After this system is successful within the applicant’s school, the applicant works with administrators and students at schools across the school district to implement a similar system. 

The applicant could write about the experience of developing the food waste management system, the quantitative and qualitative benefits of such a program to the community and the environment, and the personal satisfaction that they derived from implementing such a program. Additionally, they may discuss their newfound interest in pursuing an academic and professional career at the intersection of agriculture, public policy, and environmental studies.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How to Write the Supplemental College Essay on Your Community

Posted on: October 20, 2021

This blog is part of our series on how to write the college application supplemental essays. Check out our blogs on some of the other commonly asked questions, including those about “why us?,” diversity , creativity , and your activities .

What’s the Point of the Community Essay?

Many colleges will ask you to write about a community you belong to and to describe your place within it. This essay can give colleges insight into how you might engage with, enhance, and maybe even build communities on their campus.

Any Group Can Be a Community

The community essay prompt stumps a lot of students because when they hear the word, “community,” they only think of location-based communities such as their school or their hometown. Or sometimes, they only think of communities defined by identities such as religion or ethnicity. 

Of course, a community can be any group that comes together. We all belong to several communities, and these communities often overlap.

A lot of communities are defined by a shared interest like playing chess, swimming, or dancing. 

Your community could be fellow members of a club or the people you interact with at a job. I once worked with a student who wrote about working for a dog grooming business. In her case, the members of her community weren’t just her coworkers and human customers but also included the animals she came to know.

Some of the most meaningful communities form out of a desire to create change. One student I worked with wrote passionately about being part of an organization that speaks to teens about sexual health and gender equality.

Nowadays, many communities are virtual. I know a student who wrote about an advice and support chat group for students stressed about applying to college.

The pandemic has made some communities even more important for some students. I once worked with a student who wrote about taking his leadership responsibilities to his baseball community even more seriously because practices were some of the only in-person social interactions he and his teammates enjoyed for months. 

Why These Essays Worked

What made these essays work were the following:

1) The students wrote about communities that were meaningful to them, and this came through strongly in their essays.

2) They were active participants in their communities and mentioned specific things they did to support their communities.

3) They talked about the insight they gained from being a part of these communities. 

  Writing Your Community Essay

If you’re not sure which community to write about, before you begin the essay, take some time to list some of your communities. Then look at your list and try answering a few questions to help you make a choice.  

Ask yourself questions such as:

1) Why is this community important to me?

2) What is my role in this community? How do I support this community?

3) How has this community influenced me? 

4) What have I learned by being a part of this community?

Keep in mind the word limit. If it’s under 200 words, you might not have space to make every point, so you’ll have to be judicious when selecting which parts of your notes make it into the final draft. 

Remember, This Essay is About You!

As with all your supplemental essays, you should use the community essay as an opportunity to talk about something that isn’t reflected elsewhere in your application. Is there a value you want to convey? Are you a leader but never held an official leadership title like the club president or team captain? Maybe write about being a part of a community where you have had a leadership role. Does your application mostly reflect your serious side? Maybe write about being a part of the Waffle Club. Just remember, ultimately, this essay is an essay about you , not just the community you select. 

The community you decide to write about gives colleges some insight into you, but the reasons why you picked a community are even more insightful.

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The Community Essay

“Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you’d like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you’ve had to help us understand you better—perhaps related to a community you belong to, your sexual orientation or gender identity, or your family or cultural background—we encourage you to do so. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke.” 

As with every essay you ship off to admissions – think about something you want admissions to know that hasn’t been represented. What can you expand upon to show your versatility, passion and ability to connect with the world around you?

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Category: Admissions , College Admissions , Essay Tips , Essay Writing , Supplemental Essays

Tags: admissions essay , admissions help , application , application supplement , applications , brainstorming , college admissions , college admissions essay , college application , college application help , college applications , college essay , common application , supplemental essays

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Empowering Change: How Can I Help My Community

Table of contents, volunteering for positive change, supporting education and empowerment, advocating for change, fostering community connections, leading by example, references:.

• Clary, E. G., & Snyder, M. (1999). The motivations to volunteer: Theoretical and practical considerations. Current directions in psychological science, 8(5), 156-159.
• Davis, M. H., & Humphrey, N. (2012). The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality, 84(3), 822-848.
• Klandermans, B., & Oegema, D. (1987). Potentials, networks, motivations, and barriers: Steps towards participation in social movements. American Sociological Review, 52(4), 519-531.
• Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon and Schuster.
• Snyder, M., & Omoto, A. M. (2008). Basic psychological needs, helpful citizenship, and well-being. In The Oxford handbook of positive psychology (pp. 437-446). Oxford University Press.

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Volunteering: How Helping Others Helps You

Find the right college for you., how volunteerism helps others and you.

Volunteering has a positive effect on your community—and it’s good for you too! Ben, a first-year college student who participated in volunteer fundraising, calls it, “a win-win situation.”

"You feel good because you're helping others,” he said, “Plus, the people you’re helping are getting their needs met.”

Reasons to Choose Volunteer Work as an Extracurricular Activity

Giving back to your community is valuable in itself. Helping others also offers you many benefits. For example, it can help you learn more about yourself while exploring new interests. Volunteering in your community can even put you on the path to a career . Read on to learn more reasons to volunteer.

Gain Valuable Life Experience and Skills

Whether you build houses for people with homes or mail flyers for a local politician, you’re gaining real-world experience. In addition, while volunteering in your community, you have the opportunity to explore college majors as well as career interests.

For example, as a first-year premed student, Gregory spent his summer volunteering at a local health clinic. He picked a clinic in a Spanish-speaking area so he could practice his language skills while observing medical professionals. He also took time to ask the doctors questions.

Meet Interesting People and Build Contacts

You receive valuable insights from the people you’re helping as well as your fellow volunteers. Also, you benefit from exposure to the different perspectives of the people you work with while volunteering.

Get Academic Credit

Some high schools offer academic credit for volunteer work through service learning. This is a program that offers hands-on learning through service to the community. To find out if your school offers service learning, talk to your school counselor.

Show Colleges That You’re Committed

Your volunteer work showcases your interests and character to college admissions officers. Listing your volunteer work on college applications conveys the leadership skills and value you’ll bring to their campus.

Make a Difference

It’s eye-opening to realize that doing even small things can have a big impact on others. Rhea, a college sophomore, remembers a visit she made to a senior home with her middle school’s choir.

“An elderly man in a wheelchair looked up at me after the last strains of ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and said in a gravelly voice, ‘You’ve made my day. This means so much.’” She recalls, “No one had ever thanked me in such a way for doing something so small, and a stranger no less!”

What to Do Before You Volunteer

To get the most out of your experience, ask yourself these questions before you get involved with an organization:

• What have I done in the past that I’ve enjoyed?
• What do I want to do as a volunteer?—And what would I rule out doing?
• How much time can I commit?
• What talents or skills can I offer?
• What kinds of people do I want to work with?
• What would I most like to learn by volunteering?
• How can I help my community as a student?

How to Get Involved in Volunteering

Here are some ways to get started:

• Visit the websites of service organizations in your area to see what opportunities/needs they have for volunteers. Or call programs based in your community to ask if they need help.
• Visit your town’s website. It may list volunteer opportunities in your area and offer inspiration on how to help others in your community.
• Contact a local museum or other types of cultural institutions that can point you in the right direction.
• Ask libraries, religious organizations, hospitals, and community colleges if they sponsor any volunteer groups.

Check out these websites to learn more about causes and to find volunteer opportunities near you:

• United We Serve
• Network for Good
• VolunteerMatch
• DoSomething.org

What kind of volunteering looks good on college applications?

Volunteer work that centers on helping your community looks good on college applications. It’s a good idea to think about how to help others in your community while considering your own interests. If you like to work with animals, volunteering at your local animal shelter is a great idea. If you want to learn more about the medical field, volunteer in a local hospital or medical clinic.

Do colleges check if you actually volunteered?

Some college admissions officers are more diligent than others about confirming volunteer work on student applications. But if you list volunteer activities you didn’t participate in, you’re running the risk of being caught in a lie. If this happens, college admissions officers are going to wonder whether you have any other false information on your application. A great way to show that your claims are genuine is to write about your volunteering experiences in your college essay.

What age group is most likely to volunteer?

According to a 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, the group most likely to volunteer are people aged 65 and older. People aged 15–24, which includes most high schoolers, volunteer about half as often as their 65 and older counterparts. By volunteering and helping others while in high school, you're showing a willingness to stand out, both statistically and otherwise, from your peers.

What does volunteering teach you?

Volunteering can teach you empathy for others and how your unique skills and talents can really help your community. Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to explore your interests and potential careers, as well as learning from professionals in the field. From picking up roadside litter to walking a dog at the animal shelter, your time volunteering can make a difference!

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How to Help Your Community

Last Updated: April 18, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Kris Jensen . Kris Jensen is the Principal of Regenerative Communities Collective, a design consultancy focusing on regenerative design, and the Founder and Executive Director of Gardensmiths, a community centered initiative focused on the connection between regenerative gardens and resilient people, Previously, he was the Executive Director of the San Bruno Mountain Watch in California. He has working in the environmental activism field for over 12 years. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 218,481 times.

A community feels more alive when people who live there love it enough to help improve it. Helping your community makes life better for your friends, family, and other people who live where you live. If you look around and see that your community has a lot of problems, there's no better time to start fixing them than right now. The more love you pour in, the better it will get. Keep reading for ideas on how to help your community be strong and vibrant.

Being a Good Citizen

• If you see a mother struggling to get her stroller down a set of stairs, offer to help her carry it.
• If you notice someone looking lost, help them get where they're trying to go.
• Figure out how you can help the people who ask for money in the street, instead of passing them without looking them in the eyes.
• Be the person who helps out in an emergency, instead of the one who assumes someone else will do it.
• Offer to shovel your neighbours' backyard or rake leaves for someone across the street. Babysit community kids, or watch their pets.

• Buy your food from local vendors. Try to get most of your produce from the farmer's market, where members of your community go to sell food they've worked hard to grow.
• Shop at local businesses whenever you can. For example, if you have the choice to buy a new pair of jeans at a chain discount store or a small business owned by a member of your community, choose the latter. Change your mindset from buying the cheapest available product to leveraging your purchases to provide the most community good. Knowing that your money will go toward boosting your local economy and building a strong, vibrant community is worth the extra effort and expense. Help others to see the light and help them come aboard to help you boost the local community's financial health.
• Consider starting your own business. You can serve your community by offering a great product and possibly even hiring employees.

• If you want to go above and beyond, you could also spread awareness about how to recycle, or start a recycling program at your school or place of work.
• Composting is useful in more ways than one. It allows you to dispose of your food waste without putting it in the trash, and as a result you end up with rich soil you can use in your garden. Once you learn how to do it, show others how easy it can be.

• Turning off your lights when you're not using them, using energy-saving appliances, decreasing your reliance on air conditioning, turning down the temperature on your water heater, and unplugging your computer when you power it down are all ways you can help save energy.
• Taking shorter showers, making sure your pipes aren't leaking, limiting your lawn watering, and using a low-water method of washing dishes are all ways you can help save water.

• Walk or bike where you need to go. It takes a little longer, but you see more along the way.
• Use public transportation. Even if your area doesn't have a great subway or elevated rail system, you probably have bus lines nearby.
• Carpool to work or school, instead of driving places by yourself.

Learning About Your Community

• To break the ice with your neighbors, bake some muffins or cookies and wrap them up. Then take them door to door and introduce yourself. This will make it easier to strike up a conversation with a neighbor or invite them to your home for dinner.

Create community through human connection and by finding common ground. "No matter who we are or what we look like or what we may believe, it is both possible and, more importantly, it becomes powerful to come together in common purpose and common effort."

• Use the internet to run some basic searches to find out what your community needs. Try pairing the name of your city with key terms like “community needs,” “volunteer opportunities,” and “problems.” Try other keyword searches to find out more.
• Read the local newspaper every day. The local newspaper will help you to get to know the community and learn what people are doing to address problems.
• Talk to people who have lived in the community for a long time. Ask questions, such as, “What is the biggest problem facing this community? How are people addressing that problem?”
• Try not to get overwhelmed by the size and scope of the problems your community is facing. Pick one thing that you care about changing, one thing that ignites your passion, and go from there.
• See if anyone else feels the same way you do. Is there an organization addressing this need? Do you know anyone who's as passionate as you are about creating change?

• Websites like Idealist, Volunteer Match, and Serve.gov can also help you to find out about organizations that are looking for volunteers.

• What community issue are you the most passionate about?
• What can you do to help that will best use your talents?
• What sort of time commitment are you able and willing to make?
• What do you need to do in order to start helping?

Getting Involved

• Find the place where your passions and skills intersect. For example, let's say your city has too few trees and you want to help. You can use social media to spread awareness about the problem by sharing what you know with as many people as possible and encouraging people to plant more trees.

• Set short-term goals. You can define short-term in a way that makes sense and is motivating to you. What do you want to have accomplished in one week, one month, or a year?
• Set long-term goals. In five years, what do you want your community to look like? What about ten? What seems doable in that amount of time?

• People - Include the skill-sets that will be involved, the hours of work that they'll need to put in, the minimum number of volunteers or spokespeople that will be necessary to accomplish your goals.
• Resources - These might include such things as: buses to take people downtown for a river cleanup; garbage bags, shovels, protective gloves, and masks for the volunteers; pizza, sodas, and a salad to feed them at lunchtime. Think it through down to every last detail.
• Money - Create a budget and detail how much it's going to cost to execute your plan.

• To find passionate volunteers and spread the word about what you're doing; share information via social media. Go public with your plan to make a difference, and tell people how they can get involved. Hold meetings to discuss how to put your plan into action.
• Some people prefer to help by donating money instead of their time. Don't be afraid to ask for donations or hold a fundraiser to make money you can put toward your cause. [10] X Research source

Sharing Your Skills and Time

• Helping out at park, river or beach clean-up days
• Answering phones at phone-a-thons to raise money
• Playing with cats and dogs at the animal shelter
• Serving meals at the soup kitchen or homeless shelter
• Working at a crisis hotline
• Being a counselor at a camp for kids

• For example, if someone you know is trying to hold a "Bike to Work or School Day" on Monday mornings, and you've got a bike, why not give it a try? Bring a friend along, too. Show people in your community that biking is fun.
• Participate in fundraising walks and runs. Many nonprofits hold community walks and runs to raise money. Paying the entry fee directly benefits the nonprofit, and participating in the event helps spread awareness about the cause.
• Go to concerts, festivals and other events put on by local businesses or organizations. If no one shows up to these types of events, they might stop happening altogether.

• Voting is an important way to influence your community. Read up on the candidates and issues and vote in all local elections.
• Contact your representative about issues that matter to you. If you don't want that patch of forest to be cut down, or you think it a new supermarket could really help the community, call your representative or write a letter stating what you want to happen and why.
• Show up for community meetings at which decisions are being made. Take the opportunity to speak up about what matters to you. Would your community benefit from having more crosswalks on busier streets? Are there too many potholes on your block? Do you have an opinion on how the city should handle increasing levels of crime? Say so.

• You can help to make your neighborhood more beautiful right away by picking up trash on your own. When you walk down the street, pick up trash you see and throw it away or recycle it. If there's too much for you to tackle on your own, get some friends involved to help you.
• Scrape off or paint over graffiti to freshen up buildings and fences. If you're good at painting, you could eve create a mural on a public wall for everyone to see. You might have to get permission from the building owner or city first.
• Do landscaping in areas that are overgrown with weeds. Mow them down or pull weeds by hand. Plant flowers or trees wherever you can. Adding more natural elements to urban spaces can help make them look and feel safe and inviting. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
• Create a community garden , where everyone can have a plot on which to grow vegetables, herbs or flowers. Ask people to pitch in to help break ground and lend their tools for the project.
• Always make sure to check with the owner of a piece of property before you do anything to it.

Community Q&A

• Try not to get discouraged if your efforts to help go unnoticed. Helping your community is important and it matters even if no one acknowledges it. Know that you are doing good things for your community and keep going! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://positivepsychology.com/10-traits-positive-community/
• ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables
• ↑ https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/10-energy-saving-tips-spring
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-introverts-corner/201202/survey-says-how-meet-new-people
• ↑ https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/overview/model-for-community-change-and-improvement/lessons-learned/main
• ↑ https://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/02/community
• ↑ https://positivepsychology.com/goal-setting/
• ↑ https://positivepsychology.com/life-worth-living-setting-life-goals/
• ↑ https://advocatesforyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Youth-Activist-Toolkit.pdf
• ↑ https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/not-for-profit-organisations/gifts-and-fundraising/fundraising-events
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334070/

About This Article

To help your community, support your local economy by shopping at local businesses and buying food from local vendors as often as you're able to. You can also help out your community by volunteering with your local government or organizations that are tackling problems and addressing needs in your area. Also, make an effort to attend community events, like festivals and neighborhood meetings, to show your support. For more advice from our Expert co-author, like how to learn more about your community, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Positively Benefit Your Community as a Student

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop

I think it is important to remember the significance of social work, even if it remains unheard by the majority. There aren’t enough people in this world who truly care about the betterment of the community without any personal gain.

One very effective way for you to benefit and improve your community greatly is through community service. In the process, community service will also help you acquire skills and knowledge, and gain essential experience that you can include on your resume. Although the sole purpose of benefiting your community positively shouldn’t be an updated resume. Engaging in community service as a student helps you become an active part of your community, which will certainly serve to make a positive impact. Some of the skills you are likely to gain through social work include:

• Problem-solving
• Collaboration with others
• Time management
• Communication

What Is Community Service?

Community service is any kind of work done either by a person or a group of people with the objective to benefit others. Typically, this kind of work is done on a volunteer basis, which means there is no monetary outcome. You are basically volunteering your time and effort to help. There are many different ways to help your community, focusing on a various areas — children, animals, senior citizens, people with disabilities and the environment are a few examples.

Usually, such work is organised by a local group, like a school or non-profit. However, you may start your own community service group and take on projects of your choice. When I was in school, I decided to raise money for tigers through fundraising. I brought a bunch of homemade brownies to school everyday for around ten days. Raising funds is one of the many forms of fund raising, as is donating or selling used items, like clothing for instance. Crowdfunding is a great example of how you could raise money for your community service idea. This is a method of fundraising that allows individuals to raise money by reaching out and asking for donations from their friends, family, acquaintances, and broader network.

Why Should You Participate in Community Service?

Well there a number of reasons as to why one should engage in activities that positively benefit the community. Most students are required to put in a few hours of community service organised by their school or college as a graduation requirement. In some countries, community service is court mandated — you have to complete a certain number of hours ordered by a judge.

There are other reasons to participate in community service other than being required, or forced, to do so. Indeed, volunteering does have numerous personal benefits too. Here are some of the reasons, apart from benefiting the community, why one should consider engaging in community service:

• Helps you develop a richer perspective of the world
• Develop an increased sense of social responsibility
• Often results in psychological and emotional growth
• Improves lifelong communication, interpersonal and critical thinking skills
• Helps students find their passion and interests that could potentially lead career choices they may have failed to consider otherwise
• Can help strengthen college applications and resume
• Can be a great way to meet new people and make friends
• Provides you with an opportunity to gain work experience
• Allows you to quickly step up to leadership positions within organisations
• Provides an opportunity to apply academic learning to real life events

I believe that the first of the points above is one of the fundamental reasons why one should engage in community service, and do so with an open mind. The opportunity to see, first-hand, how your work can benefit someone is pivotal. Moreover, expanding our worldview by looking beyond what most us of frequently taken for granted leaves a lasting mark on an individual. Finally, interacting with people who have vastly different backgrounds teaches you patience and empathy as you develop a global perspective.

Key Questions

Before we get into social work ideas, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. Answering these questions will help you figure out what you feel most passionate towards. It is important to compare tasks based on their perceived importance. Recall the quote above, no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

• Who and/or what are you passionate about?
• Is there a specific group or cause you are driven towards?
• Is there a particular activity you enjoy doing that you could do to help in some way? Like, baking or drawing.
• Do you want a long-term activity, something that you can do for short amount of time or a one-time activity?
• Why do you want to do this?
• What is the impact you would like to have?
• If your impact is quantifiable — an “amount raised” for instance — what is your goal?
• What do you wish to learn?
• What skills do you hope to acquire?
• How can you apply what you learn to your future endeavours?

Here are some community service opportunities for students that you could check out.

Things to Consider

• How much time are you willing to invest?
• What are your interests?
• Are you available for two hours every week?
• Are you not free on a regular basis but can volunteer for on weekends?
• Which activities seem most appealing to you?
• Were they mostly in one particular category, like children or the environment? If so, that’s a good starting place to choose a specific organisation
• Do some research to see what projects you can do in your community
• Check at your school, place of worship or college for more information on volunteering
• You can also contact the place where you’d like to perform your community service, such as a particular animal shelter or nursing home, and ask if they take volunteers
• Think about transportation as well and how you’ll be able to get to different locations

Ideas on How to Benefit the Community

As mentioned earlier, there are a number of different areas that you can tackle in this respect. Here are a few suggestions that should hopefully get you thinking.

• Pick up some trash. Head out and spend a few hours beautifying your surroundings. Start small in your own neighborhood
• Marketing and communications students can volunteer to help local nonprofits with their fundraising efforts and social media strategy
• Start a violence protection group in your community
• Organise a riverbed or stream cleanup — make this a regular activity and put up signs to inform people
• Participate in a charity walk or run
• Volunteer at a local nonprofit
• Organise games and activities for children in hospitals
• Volunteer at your local library
• Become CPR certified
• Ask for charitable donations instead of birthday or Christmas gifts
• Repair broken household items or appliances for neighbours
• Paint over graffiti in your neighborhood
• Take care of cats and dogs at an animal shelter
• Coordinate student drivers to give young students rides to the grocery store or doctor since they may not have cars on campus
• Become a field trip chaperone
• Host an Earth Day event
• Get involved in local conservation activities
• Volunteer at a local national or state park
• Organise a talent competition with a small entry fee and donate the collected funds to a local nonprofit
• Organise a carpool to reduce car emissions
• Become a certified lifeguard and volunteer at a local pool or beach
• Organise a drug-free campaign
• Sponsor a drug-free post-prom event
• Start or join a neighbourhood watch program
• Create and distribute a list of hotlines for people who might need help
• Teach a home-alone safety class for children
• Organise a self-defence workshop
• Create a TV or radio public service announcement against drug and alcohol use
• Campaign for more bike lanes in your town
• Volunteer at a nature camp and teach kids about the environment
• Donate baby clothes and supplies
• Help develop safety procedures for schools
• Help teach safe driving by becoming a driver’s ed instructor
• Teach a child how to play an instrument
• Become a teen counsellor
• Gather a group of friends or talk to one of the on-campus clubs to package meals for the homeless in the surrounding city
• At the end of the semester, create a textbook donation drive so students can donate used textbooks to redistribute to low-income students for free
• Create a summer reading program
• Clean up a local park
• Help walk kids home from school
• Host an after-school program
• Create materials to teach people in your community about respecting and supporting those with special needs
• Coach a youth sports team
• Start up a pen pal program for kids
• Teach classes for a skill you have
• Knit caps or scarfs for babies or children
• Help build a playground for disabled children
• Donate your used electronics to a school
• If you’re an upperclassman, begin or join a mentorship program to advise younger students on class registration, getting involved in activities or finding their way around campus
• Host a holiday meal for those without a home
• Host free resume workshops for homeless job seekers
• Sign up to be a “buddy” for a child in a long-term hospital stay. Buddies can read, play games or simply visit with children to give their parents time to shower, sleep or get food
• Volunteer at a fire station
• Start a non-corruption drive for law enforcement
• Check with your school to see if student volunteers can clean academic facilities for a day to give janitorial staff a break
• Donate stuffed animals to kids in hospitals
• Start a local fundraising drive for a cause of your choice — make it legit
• Initiate a “Conserve Every Drop” campaign
• Start a food drive for underprivileged in your area
• Bake cookies and take them to a neighbourhood shut-in
• Volunteer as a lifeguard
• Volunteer to clean up trash at a community event
• Contact your local zoo to see if you can sponsor an animal
• Collect children’s books and other reading materials for shelters, libraries and schools, then ask if they need volunteer readers
• Do demonstrations about health and exercise at schools
• Collect household items for a homeless family
• Volunteer at or donate to battered women or youth shelter
• Host seminars about drug and alcohol use
• Volunteer to be a crossing guard at a school
• A group of students can offer a free college application workshop to help high school students in the surrounding community write and edit their essays

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Home » American University Washington Dc » How Can A Student Contribute To The School Community?

How Can A Student Contribute To The School Community?

Table of Contents

Be ambitious and outward-looking— use the local environment and community as hands-on learning resources and encourage parents, community organizations and businesses to bring their issues to the school . Take students out into local wild places and community venues, and invite community members into the school.

What can you contribute as a student to the school?

What can you contribute to the school?

• Donate supplies.
• Volunteer in the classroom.
• Nominate schools for grants.
• Think outside the classroom.
• Attend meetings.
• Encourage participation.
• The importance of STEM education.

What is the role of a student in the community?

Man is belongs to a society, and students are an important part of it. Students cannot live in complete isolation from the community-life. Even a school-going student is bound to have links with other people who together form a society. Students can play an important role in improving and strengthening the society .

What is your contribution in the community?

By making a community contribution, you’re helping to make the lives of others better . This could be through meeting their needs or helping them overcome various psychological, social, or financial challenges.

How can you contribute to your school as a leader?

School leadership best practices that make a difference

• Attend Activities.
• Be Accessible.
• Be Positive.
• Formulate a Vision.
• Communicate Effectively.
• Never Stop Learning.
• Be Forthright.

What is your role in school as a student?

attending classes on time and regularly. being prepared for classes with all necessary supplies. taking good care of school property. completing all homework assignments .

How can I contribute to my country as a student?

9 Little Contributions You Can Make To Make Our Country Better

• How Can You Contribute to the Development of Our Country?
• Stop littering around.
• Be environment-friendly.
• Help support a child’s education.
• Stop participating in corruption.
• Be better Neighbours.
• Pledge to donate your organs.
• Donate blood.

How do you contribute to the well being of your community?

We can explore each of these attributes for factors that contribute to community wellbeing. Connectedness

• Offer social support.
• Enhance social trust.
• Support members living harmoniously together.
• Foster civic engagement.
• Empower all members to participate in community and democracy.

What can I do to help my community?

Ways to Help Your Community

• Protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
• Help your local food pantry.
• Give blood if you’re able.
• Volunteer your time.
• Check on neighbors and family members, especially those who live alone, are elderly, have health or mobility issues or are caring for children.

How can a teenager contribute to society?

Children can contribute to society in a multitude of ways: Collecting coins to feed the hungry . Cleaning up the environment. Volunteering with children who have physical disabilities.

How would you make your school better as a student?

Take opportunities to lead a class or program within your school . Set a good example and treat other students with respect. Try to be friendly to teachers and make everyone’s day a little better. You can become a team captain, a club leader, or just be a person that other students look up to.

How can you contribute to the school by being a member of student council?

The student council helps share ideas, interests, and concerns with teachers and school principals. They often also help raise funds for school-wide activities, including social events, community projects, helping people in need and school reform. Most schools participate in food drives, fundraisers and parties .

How can a student be a good leader?

5 Qualities of Successful Student Leaders

• Stay authentic.
• Keep an open mind and always listen.
• Know how to delegate tasks to achieve common goals.
• Learn from mistakes to improve for the future.
• Seek knowledge.

Why should students be responsible?

Each person is responsible for taking ownership of their actions in a way that values building safe and positive classrooms. Student accountability encourages student learning, and helps improve academic performance and achievements . As the teacher, you can create these opportunities.

What is the role of student in school essay?

The primary duty or responsibility of a student is to learn and acquire knowledge, along with improving their intellect and widening their mental capabilities . It is the time for students to learn good traits like discipline, obedience, perseverance, and respect for elders.

What small things you can do to your school and community?

Here are some easy ways you can help schools in your community:

• Join a parent & teacher organization at your school.
• Volunteer as often as possible.
• Donate school supplies for other children.
• Go to Back-to-School Night.

What are the simple things you can do to as a part of the community?

With that being said, below are seven ways you can get involved in your own community. 7 Simple Ways You Can Get Involved in Your Community

• Look for Local Events.
• Volunteer Your Time.
• Donate Your Resources.
• Shop Locally.
• Join a Class or Group.
• Support Your Local Sports Teams.

Why is it important to contribute to the community?

In addition to the health benefits, volunteering gives people a sense of purpose . The fulfilling feeling of giving back and contributing to society is unparalleled. Giving back is also a great way to get to know your community and its citizens. When you volunteer, you have the opportunity to meet lots of new people.

How can youth make a difference in the community?

8 Ways to Help Teens Make a Difference in Their Communities

• Plant a community garden.
• Volunteer to help community members in need.
• Join the effort to provide housing for all.
• Help kids on the streets.
• Collect items for those in need.
• Help others find work.
• Spread the word about poverty in your area.

How can I help my community as a kid?

10 Wonderful Ways for Kids to Give Back to Their Community

• Donate Clothes.
• Plant a Tree (or More)
• Donate Unused/Unwanted Toys.
• Give Books to Local Hospitals or Daycares.
• Start a School Recycling Program.
• Hold a Collection Drive.
• Make Handmade Cards.
• Set Up a Blessing Box.

How can you contribute to your community as teenager for a healthy environment?

Here are some ways in which you can take control of your future, and protect our environment and ecosystems:

• Start Your Own Initiative or Volunteer With Environmental Organizations.
• Reduce/Recycle Paper.
• Recycle More Often.
• Save Resources.
• Buy Sustainable Products.
• Decrease Meat & Dairy Consumption.
• Only Buy What You Need.

By Cary Hardy

Hi there! I'm Cary Hardy, an education expert and consultant. I've worked with students of all ages and backgrounds, and I love helping them unlock their full potential. I'm also a big believer in lifelong learning- there's always something new to learn!

I got my start in education as a teacher, working with students in grades K-12. After several years of teaching, I transitioned into the world of educational consulting. I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods.

I'm passionate about helping people achieve their dreams, and I believe that education is the key to unlocking everyone's potential. Thanks for reading!

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