College Essay: Community Service

As each year passes, technology becomes more and more important in society. Mobile phones, televisions, computers, and iPods are a few of the electronics taking up the majority of free time in young people’s lives. Instead of spending time with family or friends, it is typical for people to isolate themselves with technology. It is already easily seen that this isolation is having a negative effect on society. People are becoming more selfish due to the isolation. Things like community service are suffering because people don’t have the “time” to help out their local soup kitchens anymore. Many teens only complete service hours because their high school or college requires it. While technology is usurping society, we must make sure that community service doesn’t fall to the wayside.

                Community service has so many more benefits than what lies on the surface. Yes, it benefits the community which is a tremendous reward, but it can be more than that if you let it. By helping the less fortunate, you are able to connect with your community in a deeper way than before – you become more emotionally invested. Participating in service helps instill values in the lives of those who partake in it, and is proven to have a positive effect on personalities by becoming more nurturing and patient. Also, it provides many learning experiences that can enrich your life. The best way to learn is by doing, and when you are seeing the worst of life, it shows you how good you really have it. Many people take their lives for granted, but community service teaches people how to be grateful for what they have. The growth and strengthening of relationships is another benefit of community service. It can bring family and friends together or even create new relationships. It helps socially develop people, creating a defense against today’s isolationism. Motivation and engagement are completely necessary when partaking in community service, so they are two qualities that will surely be reinforced.

                When it comes down to it, community service is valuable in so many more ways than what is superficially seen. It creates a connection between you and your community, friends, and family, while instilling important qualities such as nourishment and motivation.