The importance of volunteering
mauri rapp
1today's high school students lead hectic lives. between classes, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs, many teens
have little free time. although most students would prefer to spend their downtime hanging out with friends, it's important
for students to incorporate volunteering into their schedules. volunteering is a wonderful way to make new acquaintances
while learning about civic duty and pride. volunteering can also you stand out among the thousands of other anonymous
students applying to college. in addition, it's extremely gratifying to know that you're making a difference.
20ne major benefit of volunteering is social interaction. volunteering affords you the opportunity to connect with people of
all ages and backgrounds. these people may become your lifelong friends. you'll also learn how to collaborate with new
people to reach a common goal. meeting new people is a great way to expand your interests. new friends can introduce you
to exciting hobbies and teach you new skills. volunteering also introverted students develop confidence and self-
esteem. there's no reason to agonize over meeting other volunteers. you'll soon discover that volunteer organizations are
extremely inclusive. this can alleviate any fears you might have about not fitting in with the group.
3volunteering also shows students what it takes to keep a community operating smoothly. participating in roadside cleanups
or planting trees around town will you realize the enormous amount of effort it takes to keep a city sparkling. becoming
a junior councilperson and attending town meetings will enhance your understanding of the dilemmas that preoccupy your
municipal leaders. volunteering at local preschools or senior centers teaches you compassion while showing you how people
in the community care for one another. volunteering can also you with your career aspirations. it may even "inspire you"
to become a civic leader.
4 volunteering is also a phenomenal addition to your college applications. it gives you an advantage over other students who
didn't volunteer in high school. a record of volunteerism shows prospective colleges that you're an accomplished individual
with many interests. volunteering also tells admissions counselors that you're active in your community, meaning that you'll
likely participate in campus activities, school fundraisers, and other university programs. counselors often select students who
take pride in their community because they know these students will demonstrate the same pride for their school.
which would be a complicating factor for this argument about the benefits of volunteering?
a)
if the reader wanted to go to college
b)
if the reader already volunteered somewhere
if the reader had to work to support his family
d
i f the reader did not know what volunteering was