Hi, I'm Sarah, Welfare Officer at Exeter Student Volunteers (ESV).
Balancing self-care with activism at university can sometimes feel like the hardest thing in the world. There’s always a million deadlines and other things to do- it can seem easy to let yourself think it has to be one or the other. To dispel this myth and help you get started, here are some tips for students who want to get involved in volunteering and activism during their time at university.
1. Don’t think it has to be this huge commitment
Whether you can commit yourself to a sustained cause or only manage to give a few hours of your time here and there, it all matters. Volunteering offers numerous ways to get involved, and there are always new opportunities around the corner. On our Instagram, ESV often advertises calls for volunteers for one off events throughout the year. Helping with these events is just as needed and appreciated as being part of a longer projects.
2. Workload will ebb and flow throughout the year, it’s never too late to start
If you had a busy start to the academic year, don’t think it means you can’t start getting involved now or even later on in term 2. Take advantage of quieter weeks to dive into a project or help out at an event. ESV advertises new opportunities throughout the year even through to term 3 and our projects welcome new people joining whenever.
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3. It’s alright to take a break
In the same vein, if you’ve already started volunteering and find yourself with too much on your plate, feel free to take a step back or speak to ESV’s welfare officer. Volunteering is deeply rewarding, but it can also be draining. Taking a break doesn’t mean giving up or abandoning your causes. Give yourself time to rest when needed and return ready to give your best. Remember, a sustainable commitment to volunteering and activism starts with prioritising your own wellbeing and you will never be shamed for that.
4. Try to get your friends involved
Student activism doesn’t have to be a choice between trying to make time to socialise and trying to give back. There are ways to combine the two. For example our dog walk project requires a minimum of two walkers at the same time and many of our volunteering opportunities need more than 1 volunteer. So grab a friend and get started!
5. Meet new people
Not only that but many of our projects are designed to be social and collaborative, and they offer an opportunity to make new friendships with like-minded people.
6. Celebrate your wins!
There is much joy to be found in student activism and in recognising the impact you make to not only the student experience but to your community. So whenever you feel discouraged or unmotivated just know that every little bit helps in making a difference and serves a larger movement.
I hope you’ve found this article helpful and if you want more information about getting involved in volunteering or simply want to learn about the work we do, check out our instagram @exeterstudentvolunteers where we post about all our new opportunities and projects.