Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Student Life

45 Ways To Pay It Forward

It's one way to be selfless to another and to offer them good will.

Abby Graf

May 09, 2017

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

John Ogrins

Paying it forward is an everyday thing in almost everyone's life. Its one way to be selfless to another and to offer them good will. Though you can't do everything, you can do something. We all have the ability to make a difference in the world, however slight it may be. Whether it be a stranger on the street or your best friend, here are a number of ways to pay it forward and make someone smile.

1. Open the door for someone

2. Donate old clothes to Goodwill or to charity

3. Buy the person in line behind you their meal or coffee

4. Give a homeless person money or buy them a meal

5. Offer to cook dinner for someone

6. Tell your loved ones to "drive safe"

7. Cook a meal for a loved one on a special day

8. Visit the dogs in the Humane Society, it makes their day and yours a little better

9. Ask someone how their day was, check up on them

10. Thank people for doing something kind, big or small

11. Smile at people, no one likes a smug person

12. Help an elderly person do something they are unable to do

13. Give up your seat for someone on the bus or train

14. Donate blood

15. Compliment someone, tell them you like their outfit or that they look nice today

16. Tell people you are proud of them

17. Volunteer

18. Tell people when they've made a positive impact in your life

19. Babysit for someone for free

20. Help someone with their homework

21. Shovel someone's driveway

22. Visit a nursing home

23. Write a positive review online for a restaurant

24. Donate food to a food drive

25. Bring in breakfast to your place of work for all of your co-workers

26. "Adopt a Family" for Christmas

27. Give someone in line extra change if they're short on money

28. Offer to take a picture for a family who is struggling to get a group photo

29. Pay the toll fare for the person behind you

30. Add change to an expired meter

31. Donate old books to the library

32. Buy a drink from a kid's lemonade stand, it'll make them so happy, trust me

33. Help someone in need

34. Participate in community service

35. Help at a food shelf/food drive

36. Donate cat or dog food to the animal shelter

37. Buy a bag of groceries for the hungry

38. Sponsor an animal at the zoo

39. Give money to a charity

40. Mow someone's lawn

41. Sit with someone who is sitting alone

42. Clean up litter from a park

43. Give blankets to the homeless

44. Give out any extra tickets you have for free, whether it be to a play, a fair, or a convention.

45. Take people's dogs on walks if they are unable to

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Lifestyle

11 Things Summer Nannies Can Relate To

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

University of Wisconsin Branch Schools

516

As a college student, being a nanny over the summer is both enjoyable and challenging. Underneath the seemingly perfect trips to the pool or countless hours spent playing Monopoly are the obstacles that only nannies will understand. Trading in your valuable summer vacation in return for three months spent with a few children less than half your age may seem unappealing, but so many moments make it rewarding. For my fellow summer nannies out there, I know you can relate.

Keep Reading...Show less

Lifestyle

11 Struggles Of Having An “Ethnic” Name

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

Bowling Green State University

395

thoughtcatalog.com

There are a lot of really easy, common names in the U.S. and while many of those simple names have different spellings, most of the time, pronunciation is not an issue that those people need to worry about. However, others are not as fortunate and often times give up on corrections after a while. We usually give an A+ for effort. So, as you could probably imagine, there are a few struggles with having a name that isn’t technically English. Here are just a few…

Keep Reading...Show less

ethnic name

Student Life

10 Thoughts We Have While Daydreaming In Class

Can I be excused for the rest of my life?

Monmouth University

day·dream (ˈdāˌdrēm/): a series of pleasant thoughts that distract one's attention from the present.

Daydreams, the savior of our life in class. Every type of student in the classroom does it at least once, but most cases it is an everyday event, especially in that boring class -- you know the one. But what are we thinking while we are daydreaming?

Keep Reading...Show less

daydreaming

Politics and Activism

11 Things You Should Never Say To A Puerto Rican

Don't Be That Person

Bowling Green State University

11635

Jessica Pinero

Puerto Ricans. They are very proud people and whether they were born on the island or born in the United States by Puerto Rican parent(s). It gets even better when they meet another fellow Puerto Rican or Latino in general. You’ll know quickly if they are Puerto Rican whether the flag is printed somewhere on their person or whether they tell you or whether the famous phrase “wepa!” is said.

Keep Reading...Show less

puerto ricans

Swoon

To The Girl Who Falls Too Fast, Never Be Ashamed Of How Hard You Love

Love hard, every day, and never be ashamed.

3048

If it hurts now, it'll hurt again. Not because you're gullible or naive, only because you fall fast, hard, and you do it every time.

We fall each and every time with the complete and utter confidence that someone will be there to catch us. Now that person we SWORE we were never going to fall for has our hearts, and every time we see them our palms start sweating. The butterflies in our stomach start to soar and our hearts are entirely too close to bursting out of our chests.

Keep Reading...Show less

single life

Recommended for you

45 Ways To Pay It Forward

It's one way to be selfless to another and to offer them good will.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy

8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

10. When you find another person with an “ethnic” sounding name, you both get excited

11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you

Can I be excused for the rest of my life?

Don't Be That Person

1. “Oh, so you/your family are immigrants!”

2. “Is Puerto Rico near Mexico?”

3. “Do you speak Puerto Rican?”

4. “You look too light/dark to be Puerto Rican.”

5. “Do I need my passport to go to Puerto Rico?”

6. “Geez, you are obsessed with your flag. We get it, you’re Puerto Rican.”

7. “Why are you so loud?”

8. “So does your family know English?”

9. “Oh my god, Puerto Ricans are so spicy.”

10. “So did you eat a lot of tacos?”

11. “Are you Mexican?”

Love hard, every day, and never be ashamed.

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Student Life

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter