Spring Break
How to: make a difference in your spare time
Melissa Oribhabor
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: Culture
With the fall semester in full swing, it's easy to get caught up in the hectic lifestyle of a college student.
Focusing on midterm tests and papers while also getting ready for the holidays can make it seem like there is not a lot of time for much else, especially to help out.
But there are a few, simple things you can do to make a big difference.
Remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have done to you. If you find a wallet or student ID on the ground, attempt to contact the owner or turn it in to lost and found.
Hold the door for the person walking behind you. Leave a note if you bump someone's car in the parking garage.
Remember to pick up after yourself - don't make other people clean up your messes.
Remember what goes around comes around, so make sure what's coming around is something good.
Donate: That old Ramones shirt from high school shoved in the back of your closet might be perfect for a teenager who wants something vintage. Your CD collection from the 1990s that you've already uploaded to iTunes is just taking up room in your car and it could be just the thing someone else will treasure. If you don't need it and are not using it, donate it to a thrift store.
You could also sell some of your old clothing to a consignment store like Plato's Closet and make a few extra bucks. It will clean out your storage space and possibly help someone else who can't afford to buy new things.
Volunteer: There are several places around Kansas City just waiting for help. With the recession, volunteer organizations have seen a large decline in helpful hands.
Volunteering is not only good for the community, but it looks great on applications for graduate school and résumés. Visit www.volunteerkc.org to find places around Kansas City that could use your help.
Go green(ish): "Going Green" may be all the rage right now, but it's often easier said than done. If you can't go all out and buy solar panels and a Prius, try taking baby steps instead. Switch to energy saving bulbs and unplug your appliances when they are not in use.
Conserve water by cutting back on your shower time. You don't need to linger and enjoy the warm water, at least not every day.
Also, when possible, pay your bills online and opt out of paper bills. If Americans only paid bills online, it would save more than 16 million trees.
A little bit can go a long way, so take a lazy Saturday and make it productive.
Clean your closet or spend a few hours helping at a non-profit organization. It will make you feel better about yourself, help other people and have a positive impact on the world.
One person can make a difference, so let that person be you.
moribhabor@unews.com
Focusing on midterm tests and papers while also getting ready for the holidays can make it seem like there is not a lot of time for much else, especially to help out.
But there are a few, simple things you can do to make a big difference.
Remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have done to you. If you find a wallet or student ID on the ground, attempt to contact the owner or turn it in to lost and found.
Hold the door for the person walking behind you. Leave a note if you bump someone's car in the parking garage.
Remember to pick up after yourself - don't make other people clean up your messes.
Remember what goes around comes around, so make sure what's coming around is something good.
Donate: That old Ramones shirt from high school shoved in the back of your closet might be perfect for a teenager who wants something vintage. Your CD collection from the 1990s that you've already uploaded to iTunes is just taking up room in your car and it could be just the thing someone else will treasure. If you don't need it and are not using it, donate it to a thrift store.
You could also sell some of your old clothing to a consignment store like Plato's Closet and make a few extra bucks. It will clean out your storage space and possibly help someone else who can't afford to buy new things.
Volunteer: There are several places around Kansas City just waiting for help. With the recession, volunteer organizations have seen a large decline in helpful hands.
Volunteering is not only good for the community, but it looks great on applications for graduate school and résumés. Visit www.volunteerkc.org to find places around Kansas City that could use your help.
Go green(ish): "Going Green" may be all the rage right now, but it's often easier said than done. If you can't go all out and buy solar panels and a Prius, try taking baby steps instead. Switch to energy saving bulbs and unplug your appliances when they are not in use.
Conserve water by cutting back on your shower time. You don't need to linger and enjoy the warm water, at least not every day.
Also, when possible, pay your bills online and opt out of paper bills. If Americans only paid bills online, it would save more than 16 million trees.
A little bit can go a long way, so take a lazy Saturday and make it productive.
Clean your closet or spend a few hours helping at a non-profit organization. It will make you feel better about yourself, help other people and have a positive impact on the world.
One person can make a difference, so let that person be you.
moribhabor@unews.com
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