FOR STUDENTS
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" The only way to get positive feelings about yourself is to 
take positive actions."

~Reverend Vaughan Quinn

Process

  1. Attend an orientation (get the registration form)
  2. Contact an approved community partner work site. (*see Pathways & Community Partner List.)
  3. Submit the completed registration and waiver form (receive a timesheet/evaluation form.)
  4. Serve 20 hours (or more).
  5. Participate in a midterm reflection workshop (*optional - time will count towards timesheet).
  6. Submit a completed timesheet/supervisor evaluation form.
  7. Submit final reflection (*see rubric guidelines).
Please see "Become an SSL Student: Get Started Here" for more information.
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​​Orientation

The KSSL Orientation is mandatory for all students seeking a service-learning opportunity in their classes. Students can do the online orientation or participate in an in-person orientation. Some courses will hold in-class orientations.
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Choosing a Community Partner
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Use the Pathways & Community Partner List to find a site that best suits your course and individual needs. 

​Consider:
  • Appropriateness to your course(s)
  • Your interests and academic and career plans
  • Community partner's
  • Requirements (some require a separate application, forms, interview, health clearance, background check, etc.)
  • Location
  • Hours of operation
  • Your professional appearance and decorum

If you need help determining the most appropriate site, please contact our office.

Goals

Explain how your coursework and service activities have shaped your personal, academic or professional goals.
 
From the list below, select all the ones you are interested in doing and discuss at least one in detail. Explain how the action(s) you will take will help reduce the impact of the problem.
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  1. Support family, friends, and/or neighbors who are affected by the problem
  2. Serve or fundraise to support a community-based organization that is working on the problem
  3. Patronize businesses that are actively working to lessen the severity of the problem or are committed to not making the problem worse
  4. Convene a dialog with policy-makers who are working on the problem
  5. Advocate with public officials and/or legislators who are working on the problem
  6. Start, lead or join a campus group that is working on the problem
  7. Take another course to gain a new perspective on the problem
  8. Complete a degree that will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to work on the problem in my profession
  9.  Other (please specify)

Reflection

​Writing a Reflection Essay is an essential element of service-learning.  It's the requirement that captures the essence of your experience in words. 

While the reflection assignment is not submitted until the end of the semester, you begin reflection even prior to the start of your service-learning.

If your course does not provide reflection activities, get a service-learning journal at the start of the semester and/or participate in a midterm reflection workshop.

Your reflection essay should be at 1,000+ words. Please include all required information necessary for a completed essay (Name, Date, Course, Instructor, SDG, and title).

See rubric h​ere.​
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Issue

Identify the societal or ecological issue* you have helped to address through your service.

Explain how you have helped.
 
Explanatory note: *For information about the issue, see the mission statement of the organization in which you are doing service.

​Examples of the issue may be concerning the problem of invasive species or insufficient educational resources.

It may also concern clean energy or waste reduction (*see the Sustainable Hawaii Initiative) or zero hunger or good health and well-being (*see UN Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs).


Learning
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Discuss 3 concepts/theories from your coursework that have helped you do your service.

Describe experiences during your service that have helped you understand those concepts/theories.
 
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Civic Context
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As an informed individual and citizen, discuss the issue you explained above as a public or community problem.
  • What elements of unfairness or injustice does the problem have?
  • Do you believe more people should care about the problem?
  • Why or why not?
  • Discuss one or more solutions to the problem. 

Continued Community Support

Take your experience beyond the semester and commit to year-long or life-long service. 

​There are many courses you may be interested in taking that offer service-learning, therefore allowing you to continue to receive course credit for your service. 

Sustained service can lead to job opportunities, scholarships, and a richer experience where you will have a greater chance to see how you impact the community.