Before students walk the stage, they should walk in someone else’s shoes. Because true education isn’t mastering equations or writing essays, it’s about understanding the world beyond yourself. One of the most effective ways to achieve outside perspectives for students is by making volunteering a graduation requirement. Requiring students to volunteer helps them develop empathy, improve health and gain exposure to different perspectives. It shapes students into more well-rounded individuals beyond the classroom.
Volunteering isn’t simply about helping others; it also benefits the participant. Research shows that acts of kindness have a positive impact on both the brain and body. According to National Public Radio, engaging in altruistic behavior activates the brain’s reward system, reducing stress and increasing overall well-being. Furthermore, a report from the Associated Press highlights that volunteering can reduce the risk of depression by fostering a sense of purpose and social connection. Additionally, for stressed or anxious high schoolers, it offers a meaningful way to support mental health.
The benefits of volunteering extend beyond mental well-being. Psychologist David Susman, who holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has over 25 years of experience in mental health advocacy and treatment, has written extensively about the connection between volunteering and well-being. “As I reviewed some of the research literature, I was quite surprised to find a long list of several potential mental and physical health benefits associated with volunteering. People who regularly volunteer tend to have lower blood pressure and longer lifespans,” Susman said.
Susman continued his research and later said, “The sense of fulfillment that comes from helping others can lead to healthier lifestyle choices and better emotional regulation.”
Making volunteering a requirement would not only encourage civic engagement but also promote long-term well-being.
Experiences like these teach life skills, such as adaptability, organization and interpersonal communication that aren’t taught in textbooks. Requiring volunteer work would ensure that every student has the opportunity to gain these perspectives before they graduate.
Although volunteering looks good on a resume, its impact extends far beyond that. Community service helps students build teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills that are essential in any career. Working in diverse settings prepares students for college and the workforce environments.
Additionally, volunteering can also introduce students to career paths they may not have considered. A student helping at a hospital might discover an interest in medicine, while another assisting at an animal shelter could develop a passion for veterinary science. These experiences provide a sense of direction that many high school students struggle to find.
Some may argue that forcing students to volunteer takes the meaning out of the work they are performing. Others say high schoolers already have many obligations and adding mandatory service hours only increases stress rather than fostering a genuine desire to give back.
While it is true that volunteering is ideal, many students may never explore it without a requirement pushing them to try. Exposure to community work can open students’ eyes to important social issues and help them develop empathy, even if they start out doing it just to meet a requirement.
Rachael Huttman, a sophomore at Stanford University, was no stranger to having a hectic schedule in high school. Despite her rigorous schedule, Huttman found time to tutor children for free in all age groups. “It makes you feel like [you’re] doing something,” she said. “I was always raised with the value that giving back to the community is important because having a lot means you need to give a lot back.”
Making volunteering a graduation requirement would not be a burden; it would be an opportunity. The improvements in mental and physical health, the exposure to different perspectives and the development of essential life skills make a strong case for mandatory community service.
Additionally, this would not be the first integration of volunteering into the students’ lives in the Tamalpais Union High School District. At Tamalpais High School, Program T is a program available to students every semester to acquire ten hours of community service in a semester with the promise of a cord at graduation. This allows students to accumulate 80-100 hours in four years, and many enjoy the experience. A program such as this one would be a great addition to the Redwood course options.
High school should prepare students to be engaged, compassionate members of society—not just scholars. Additionally, schools already mandate academic subjects such as math and science that are not enjoyable for all students. However, they are still valuable and community service is no different.
Requiring students to volunteer instills lifelong habits of service, creating a generation that is not simply career-ready but committed to improving the world. Redwood and other schools should implement a volunteer program to help students reach these goals.
