Why I Regret Not Volunteering During High School​

Aight, confession time: I didn’t volunteer in high school. And, as you probably gathered based on the title of the article, I regret it. Big time. 

I thought I had a solid list of excuses. “I’m too busy,” “I’ll do it later on in life,” or “It won’t really make a difference.” I spent my time watching TV, eating whatever combo the kebab shop was doing that month, studying (sometimes), and absolutely rotting my brain on TikTok (nothing’s changed). And while that was all well and good, looking back, I missed out on so much by not volunteering. 

Here’s why I wish I could go back and give my younger self a nudge: 

I Missed Out on Life Skills 

I don’t think it’s too controversial to say that school doesn’t teach you everything you need for this world. You get the basics and why diplomatic tensions started every world war, BUT there are some skills that you just have to learn out in the world. 

Volunteering could’ve taught me life skills that textbooks never could. I’m talking teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and time management. They’re all skills that would’ve helped me crush it at uni and work, but I missed that boat. 

My Resume’s Kinda Trash 

When I started looking for jobs, I realised my resume was looking pretty dire. Sure, I had a couple part-time jobs, but volunteer experience would’ve made me stand out from the crowd. Companies and universities appreciate a bit of volunteer experience. It shows that you care, you’re responsible and not just in it for the paycheck. 

I Barely Know Anyone Outside My Circle 

Small circle, big cheques and whatever that shirt says... sounds like something someone with no friends would say. Nah, there’s nothing wrong with only having a few friends, but it would be nice to have some more connections and be part of the “it’s who you know” crowd. 

Volunteering is a primo opportunity to meet great people — especially when they’re already working in the fields you’re interested in. These connections can turn into job recommendations, references, or even future bosses. But instead, all I have is network building FOMO. 

I Could’ve Felt Great About Myself 

Maybe it’s obvious for other people, but I didn’t realise how much of a mental and emotional boost you get from volunteering. Instead, I spent my high school years stressing over exams and whether I spent too much money at the canteen that week. I probably could’ve balanced that stress better with a serving of volunteer work on the side. 

So if you’re in high school and you’re on the fence about volunteering, this is your chance to avoid the same mistake. Get out there, find a cause you care about, and get amongst it early. Who knows where it’ll take you! Search volunteering.gov.au for volunteer opportunities near you!