You have probably told yourself at least once that you are just one high school student in a world filled with billions of people, and therefore your actions do not matter. It’s a common excuse people use to get out of doing the right thing from time to time (myself included). 

However, with this mindset, you limit yourself to being one person living in a rigid world when, in reality, you are one person living in a world where your actions can change everything. Instead of limiting yourself, be limitless because that’s what you are. 

High school students have two valuable tools that can change the world: education and an unparalleled perspective. 

We have simultaneously seen both the past and present society, thus we have insight on the current world status. With this perspective, we can then decide how we want to impact the world. 

In other words, we are essentially our future because they are at a unique crossroads where their actions can either positively or negatively advance society.

However, in reality, we negative actions are adding up and totalling up to a negative impact on society that will cost the world. 

For example, ChatGPT usage for schoolwork has increased. Using ChatGPT for schoolwork both fosters unethical values such as lying and cheating and also has a negative environmental impact. 

Everyone who carelessly uses ChatGPT is actually a part of a global group that increases society’s carbon footprint and thinks cheating is okay. Additionally, because we contribute to society’s future, we lead by example and create a ripple effect for other people to share these unethical values as well.

But, change works both ways, so we can also positively impact the world. 

One easy way to positively change the world is by not using ChatGPT for schoolwork. By doing so, you help save the planet and promote being resourceful instead of lazy.

Another way is to get involved with the community. Volunteering to help at community events or even just getting to know your neighbor a little bit better helps build positivity within a community, thus making it a happier and safer place to be. 

Your actions also have a ripple effect as well, so if you’re kind to someone, then chances are they will pay that kindness forward. With this ripple effect, little by little, you can help create global goodwill. 

And change results from large actions as well. This is happening with the No Kings Protests where U.S. citizens, high school students included, stand up for their beliefs on a national scale. This has also happened where individuals or groups come together to create bills. Not only can this change have a national impact, but it can become a global example for other people to use in order to change their country as well.

All of this is to say that you can change the world today however you want to. 

Try doing something small to better the world each day. Whether it’s helping a friend out with a favor or starting a garden, you can become a member of a global community that positively impacts the world. 

For those looking to do larger actions to positively change the world, be brave. Stop being a bystander to situations you disagree with—instead, respectfully speak and stand up for what you think is right. If you do, then you lead by example, and create a path for others to continue along the positive path you started. This ripple effect makes change happen. 

While it may be uncomfortable to speak up, change will not happen until someone does. Most of the time, bravery is required in order to make actual global impacts.

Everyday, you make history, so be known for how you positively impacted the world instead of something negative that you contributed to that harmed the society.