How can I become more involved in volunteer work while balancing school work and a job?

<span style="background-color: transparent;">Try virtual volunteering on volunteermatch.org and also to stay balanced in general - You have to set a routine for yourself and stick to it for the most part. Once you get into the groove of a routine it will be much easier for you to manage your time and have enough time for everything you need to do (including relaxing). Make yourself to-do lists on a weekly basis, use Google calendar or a planner to keep track of events, deadlines, and due dates. In addition to setting a routine and sticking to it, plan out relaxing activities into your day. Or set aside a time, after everything is done for the day, that you can have "me" time. I have also personally found it essential to not only find time for myself but also make use of that time in a way that is best for me and my holistic wellness. I have found the HeadSpace app to be an essential tool in helping me relax and generally feel more relaxed throughout the day, Guided meditation, even if you have a busy schedule, will make you feel more at ease and relaxed throughout the day as a whole (not just when you have the time to relax and focus on that "me" time).</span>

<span style="background-color: transparent;">Set a routine.Use Google Calendar.Set aside Me TimeWrite weekly to-do lists and use a planner.Find a peaceful and restful activity that will help you feel relaxed.</span>

First of all, WELL DONE for prioritizing volunteering into your list of goals.

One of the most important things to consider with volunteering is making sure the volunteer 'job' is a good fit for you: your skills, your interests, and demands on your time.

There are many different ways to volunteer, as well as levels of commitment, and your experience should be rewarding and positive. There is nothing selfish about that. Inventory your skills/interests (would you prefer paperwork, better at hands-on?, do you want to interact with people or do you prefer a lab environment), your time constraints (how much time can you dedicate, do you have a fixed schedule or are you flexible), your internal stress triggers (can you think of tasks that would help you disconnect from school and job and reenergize you?), and demands on your time (some positions are 'show up and pitch-in' while others can resemble a part-time job). Each volunteer opportunity will have a coordinator, and that person is looking out for both you and their organization. If you have any questions about whether or not it's a good fit, ask away.

Just as important as being a good fit... be organized! Keep a detailed schedule of your classes, labs, studying, and work commitments, and schedule your volunteer commitments accordingly, visibly on your schedule, and in advance.

Best wishes for a rewarding and positive experience!