Going into your third year at university can be quite daunting. You’ve got your dissertation to do, and there’s lots of underlying pressure to do well on your exams and in course work. And if that wasn't enough, you're probably worrying about getting a job after your graduate as well.

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But never fear, there are loads of ways to relieve the stress! And one of those is volunteering.

Whether you’re volunteering for fun or for your course, there are many reasons why you should volunteer in your third year.

Destress after working on your dissertation or other coursework. 

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This is a stressful time of year and volunteering is a great way to relax. Whether you’re helping out at an allotment for a homeless shelter or befriending and mentoring someone, getting away from your work can help you de-stress. It also means you’re giving back to the community at the same time, which is always a bonus.

Get a look into what you could be going into!

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You may have an idea of what you want to do after you graduate and volunteering is one of the best ways to get some extra experience. You’ll be able to gain some extra skills to put on your CV and it’ll really show how passionate you are about your chosen field. Volunteering can give you some valuable insight into what you’re looking to go into and can help you decide whether you want to go into that field. The skills you have picked up through volunteering can be logged on your volunteering profile where you can win volunteering awards for your time. 

Alternatively, find another area you might want to work in!

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While you may have a set idea of what you want to do after you’ve graduated, volunteering can give you an insight into other areas of work. So not only can it develop your skills, you might find something you enjoy so much you wouldn’t mind working there! We’ve had several volunteers that have gone on to work for the charities they’ve volunteered with.

Get some experience to make you stand out from the crowd.

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You’ll most likely be getting a job not long after your course finishes and volunteering somewhere will definitely help you stand out from the crowd. It means that you’ll have some transferable skills to show employers. It also gives you the chance to talk about something your passionate about in future interviews.

You can get even more involved with the SU!

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Which is never a bad thing. After a few months of volunteering, you might even want to write us a blog post about what you’ve been getting up to and how it’s impacted you and the community! It might even lead to you winning an award at the SU Awards later in the year. There are countless ways of getting involved with the SU, and volunteering can open so many doors for you.

Sound like something you could get involved with? Check out our opportunities and see if there’s something you could do!