So I feel like a total failure when typing up my resume?

[etadrisophila]

Texas-

First, remember that you are NOT a failure and you should not project yourself as such.

It is easy to make the comparison between your achievements and those of others. It is possible that your friend had the benefit of a paid college prep person - one that assists college applicants to present themselves in the best possible light.

Perhaps your classmates were able to volunteer and/or be involved to what appears to be a greater extent because their families paid for the many "services" that you performed at home. For example, in my current neighborhood, many neighbors with children pay to have their homes cleaned, their yards taken care of and other duties that other families routinely take care of themselves.

You could meet with your high school counselor (or someone in a position like that) to assist you in discussing and modifying your resume.

For example, there are likely activities that you have been involved in that you did not even consider adding to the resume.

I look back to my middle school and high school days and even college days and realize that some of the things I had been doing were things that I could have named and claimed as activities worthy of a resume - had I acknowledged them as such.

For example, I volunteered at an animal shelter, assisted the "official" coaches in my various sports teams to mentor little children interested in those sports and volunteered after school with a drama group for elementary school children. I made sandwiches for fund raisers for the band, volunteered at the concession booth for high school football games, took the suburban neighborhood kids berry picking in the fields not far from our house and showed them things I had learned on my grandfather's farm. Some of these things sound trivial but in a way provided meaningful experiences not only for me but for the others involved.

Think beyond the confines of your school - think of your involvement with the community - beyond the usual clearly defined memberships. Consider your involvement in places of worship, neighborhood projects e.g. playground improvement, clean-up days, etc. Ask others - family members, friends and teachers/school counselors help you to recall these involvements.

As you suggested, get involved NOW- while you still have time in high school and over the summer!

And most of all, keep in mind that you are NOT a failure.