Student life is assumed by many to be chaotic and; full of lie ins, hangovers and last minute dashes into the lecture hall. OK, maybe there’s a tiny little bit of truth in that! However, the majority of modern students are responsible young people who pay their student house bills on time, are community spirited and hopeful of making a positive impact on the world.
Volunteering is one of the main ways that a student can open up their own lives and help others too. For many, volunteering will bring an enjoyable and rewarding element to their lives and help them look back on their university days with fondness.
There are hundreds of options – just use your student broadband deals to Google the people that you could be helping. The ways a student can volunteer while at university will include:
- A Sunday afternoon at the local soup kitchen feeding the homeless is a wonderful way to make a difference
- Joining the Street Angel organisation if your University city has one which will see you out in town on a Saturday night but this time helping drunk, distressed and lost revellers get home safely
- Contact a charity who focus on the elderly and put yourself forward to visit a lonely neighbour on a regular basis. Share a cup of tea, a biscuit and stories of when your new friend was young. Learning, compassion and fun for a couple of afternoons a month.
Now that sounds like a perfect way to meet new people and make a real difference that will benefit others.
Wondering how to reduce your student energy bills?
Thinking about the impact we have on the environment is hugely important – and it’s getting more important every day. We all need to our bit and wondering how to reduce your student energy bills will help you use less gas and electricity (and enjoy lower bills as a result!) but also using less water as well.
Remember that little changes can make a massive difference.
But we can do more – using less plastic has been the recent focus in the media. Businesses are already adopting this ethos and cosmetic brands are phasing out products with plastic exfoliating beads in, packaging is being reduced and coffee shops are offering discounts when customers bring in a re-usable cup. Inspiring stuff. And we can all take part!
If the great outdoors is a passion of yours then you could get involved in a nearby beach clean or mountain litter pick. There are even volunteering holidays to book onto; a week of the summer holidays spent repairing a path or a stone wall in the Lake District while enjoying the reduced cost of hospitality in a Youth Hostel? Sounds great doesn’t it?
Fund-raising is a University tradition. Fancy dress pub crawls are awesome right?! Wearing a lion outfit while tipsy and carrying a collection bucket … just your thing! Alright, maybe it’s not for everyone but there are other great ways to raise a few pounds. If you want to help charity and do a good deed, here are some ideas:
- Organise a live music night with local bands at the pub or student union. Charge an entrance fee, hold a raffle and send a collection tin around the crowd, a hundred quid will be warmly welcomed by the charity of your choice
- Are you sporty? Set up a sponsored 10k at the University’s sports stadium, you’ll be amazed how many people will enjoy having something to train and aim for
- Cakes! ALWAYS a winner. Set up a stall near the union shop and sell brownies, muffins and cupcakes for a £1 each to make people happy and top up your fund-raising total.
These are great ideas that may help inspire you and remember to get your housemates involved too – and those off your course. It will help also if you get involved in other organised fundraising events so you don’t have to do all of the heavy work. Also, helping someone else may mean they help you in turn.
Making the effort to get involved and make a difference to the lives of others is a habit for life and starting at University where the community spirit is high will motivate you in the future.
So, while the Glide team wish all students well in their fundraising ventures our helpful team can help you enjoy lower student house bills that will help your limited funds go further.