Why Giving Back Gives More Than You’d Expect
Even though some high schools require community service to graduate, the best reason to volunteer has nothing to do with resumes, applications, or future plans. The best reason is that you care.
You don’t have to travel far to make a difference—some of the most powerful acts of service happen right in your own community. Whether you're tutoring a younger student, walking dogs at a shelter, or helping at a food pantry, showing up consistently makes a real impact.
And here’s something else that’s real: volunteering doesn’t just help others, it helps you, especially when it comes to mental health.
Teen years can be tough. School pressure, social stress, constant notifications, and uncertainty about the future can pile up quickly. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or even isolated. Volunteering can be a powerful way to shift that experience. When you're helping someone else, you naturally take the focus off your own stress.
Studies show that people who volunteer regularly report lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Teens especially benefit from volunteering. Helping others gives you a sense of purpose. It gives you a reason to get out of the house and connect with others, whether you’re chatting with a new friend during a food drive or exchanging laughs with kids you’re mentoring.
Volunteering can also boost confidence. Every time you learn a new skill, solve a problem, or realize someone is counting on you, it adds to your sense of self-worth. Over time, you start to see yourself differently—not just as a student or a kid trying to figure things out, but as someone who can make a real difference.
And yes, volunteering actually makes you happier. That “helper’s high” people talk about? It’s real. Doing good triggers feel-good chemicals in the brain, like dopamine and oxytocin, that boost your mood and make you feel more connected and optimistic.
Getting started is easier than you think. Websites such as Volunteer Match and Do Something list opportunities by age and interest, including virtual options. You can also ask around at places you already know: your school, local nonprofits, shelters, or even the library.
If you’re not sure where to begin, try asking yourself: What do I care about? What kind of change do I want to see? Who needs support right now, and how can I help? Follow those answers, and you’ll find your way.
Whatever you choose, make it yours. Invest your time and energy into something that feels right for you. Keep a journal or log of your experiences, not just what you did, but how it felt. You might use those reflections later in a college essay, or simply as a reminder of the impact you’ve made.
The most meaningful service comes from doing what matters to you. Don’t just do it to build a resume—do it because it makes a real difference. And in the process, you might discover new strengths, new friendships, and a new way of seeing the world.
