For Change Day on September 15, 2022, I participated in the Forest Meadow Ranch project. Change Day, according to the Andrews University site, is “our way of giving back to the community through acts of service. Our mission at Andrews University is to Seek Knowledge, Affirm Faith and Change the World.”
I chose this project because I wanted to go to a place where my friend was going, instead of one where I didn’t know anyone, like in past years. Additionally, both my friend and I wanted to do something physically active, and the description for Forest Meadow Ranch mentioned building fences as a potential project. When we got to the site, however, we found out that there were no fences to build. Instead, we needed to take down a treehouse, do some yard work, and clean stall doors. Several people from our group, including my friend and I, volunteered to tear the treehouse down. This was a fun activity for several reasons. One, I got to take down a treehouse. Two, I got to do it with my friend. Three, I felt like the work I was doing helped someone else. Overall, Change Day was a positive experience for me.
In order to find some ways to help others make the most out of Change Day, I interviewed some students and asked them about their projects and if they had any advice for making the most out of Change Day. Here is the advice they gave:
Bianca Loss (sophomore, elementary education) went to the Village Elementary School Project and helped cut out flashcards for the first-grade classroom. She said it felt good to be able to help with the tedious stuff. Her advice is to go into it with a positive attitude and remember that you are really making a difference. She also recommends going with your friends. That makes it really fun, so it doesn’t feel like work.
Angelina Nesmith (sophomore, exercise science) went to the Fil-Am Church project. She said they did yard work in small groups; some groups trimmed bushes, some weeded, and others washed windows. She says it was nice to know a couple people on the project. Her advice is to do something you are interested in, but only go with one or two friends. Then you can make more friends while you are there!
Andrew Potts (sophomore, elementary education) went to the Village Elementary School Project where he did some yardwork and cleaning up outside. He says it was a rewarding experience, especially since it is the career he will be going into. He appreciated having a way to go and help the community. He recommends first doing it, and then doing it with the right attitude. He says you get more out of the experience if you go in to help people than if you are just going for credit.
Based on my experience at Forest Meadow Ranch, I recommend going to a project with at least one friend. I tend to be a little shy, so having a friend with me gave me the confidence to interact with other people and to be an active participant in our project. If you are more extroverted, however, feel free to go to a project where you do not know anyone and make new friends. Finally, I recommend treating the experience as a service to other people, rather than a requirement or burden. It can be a rewarding and fun experience.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.