Students become accustomed to a regular daily routine—classroom instruction, intensive reading, assignment completion, and the nerve-racking exams that follow. In the midst of these day-to-day activities, it is easy for a student to forget the practical application of theoretical classroom instruction. Student volunteerism, however, offers a real-world connection through community service. Skills and abilities that are developed through writing and in the classroom—including organization, punctuality, the ability to think critically, analytically, and to make informed decisions—are transferred to tangible, practical situations at innumerable volunteer placements. Although students are often perceived as idle and ill-informed, student volunteers can alter this misconception by providing committed and valuable services to the community. Student volunteerism also offers a supplementary educational experience which allows students to make use of their skills in real-life settings.

As an out-of-province student, it can be difficult to grasp the notion of mandatory volunteer service hours – a requirement set out by the Ontario Ministry of Education. In order to graduate high school, a student must complete forty volunteer services hours, which comes with many challenges. A problem acknowledged by close friends is that many students leave this task to the last few months prior to graduation. This leaves the public questioning the impact this "rushed" experience has on a student if it is completed simply out of contractual obligation. It is this misperception of student's intentions that often leaves people thinking of students as inactive citizens.

However, when it comes to mandatory student volunteerism in Ontario high schools, there are as many success stories as there are challenges. For instance, whether completed consistently over a long period of time or in a last-minute dash toward June graduation, valuable services are nonetheless provided to the community. These services include administrative duties and interaction with the public, which offer a mutual benefit to both the student and the organization. Benefits include widening the student experience and teaching students how to work as productive team members. Students often transition from strictly volunteering in their schools to serving as long-term community volunteers, giving them an increased sense of responsibility.

Another benefit of volunteerism is the opportunity to use skills learned in the classroom. It is important to recognize that, for many students, community volunteerism is their first encounter with the "working world." It is often a student's first opportunity to explore their many skill sets by actively putting them to use. This includes demonstrating maturity as experienced individuals in such areas as organization, conflict resolution and effective communication. In this sense, classroom skills used in a community setting can better prepare students for the workplace.

It is the unique volunteer experience that equips students with the background knowledge that contributes to their enhanced, practical ability to work in a professional environment. For instance, student volunteers at Kingston General Hospital (KGH) in Kingston, Ontario engage in valuable health-care work experience for future job prospects, including careers in demanding fields such as medicine, hospital administration and research. The experience can be helpful when used for application to future volunteer opportunities and admission to medical school. Many students who engage in volunteer activities in the health field go on to enjoy successful careers in this sector, providing evidence for a comfortable transition from volunteer to job responsibilities.

Although students benefit greatly from volunteering, student volunteerism also comes with many challenges. This includes establishing a balance between volunteer work, academic study, and leisure time. By making community service part of the Ontario curriculum, it allows students to begin to balance academics and volunteerism. This is one of the main challenges volunteers face, given the high demand for volunteer service hours to be filled. It is therefore vital that students set limits to the number of hours they volunteer. This ensures the quality of the volunteer work and a student's academic performance are not compromised.

Given the many valuable opportunities available for student volunteers, it has been suggested early-life volunteerism indicates future community involvement and produces "good citizens." Students that have been involved in numerous volunteer and extra-curricular activities often excel academically, have a balanced lifestyle, and make time for "giving back" to the community.

Student volunteers consistently demonstrate extraordinary talent, compassion, and dedication. Community service offers an opportunity for further development of their skills and experience in real work settings. The working relationship between the student and the organization—although at times challenging—allows for an environment in which all can learn, develop, and grow.

MATTHEW PONSFORD is currently studying Biological Sciences at Queen’s University. He is the chair of the National Bursary Review Committee for International Project Grants and a Field Worker for Amnesty International Canada, which is the largest human rights organization in the world. He also serves as the Volunteer Emergency Room Supervisor at Kingston General Hospital. He sits on the Queen’s University Senate and has volunteered in Costa Rica with Volunteer Abroad Canada. Matthew has received the Duke of Edinburgh Award (2008), the Governor General’s Academic Medal (2006) and the NS Lieutenant Governor’s Medal (2005). He is a recipient of the National Millennium Scholarship, the National Wendy’s Classic Achievers Scholarship, the National Miller Thompson Foundation Scholarship, the National Johnson and Johnson Inc. Scholarship, the Queen’s Chancellor’s Scholarship, and the Kids Help Phone Spirit of Volunteerism Award. Visit his blog at http://www.matthewponsford.com .