The article has basis of the importance and relevance of the problem of developing the student’s social initiative, taking into account the development priorities of Russian society. The students are characterized by the highest activity, and the educational organization has sufficient potential for the development of social initiative through a variety of activities (innovative, research, social, sports, volunteer, creative, etc.). The semantic and content characteristics of a person’s social activity based on initiative, responsibility, diligence are considered. The results of a survey of 2130 respondents, conducted in a number of medical universities in our country, showed the attitude of medical students to social activity as a productive activity that transforms the person and the environment. The survey helped to identify the types of social practices and extracurricular activities demanded by medical students: event volunteering, sports, tourism, research activities, etc. The article reveals social projects and programs on physical culture and sports, volunteering in the sports-related community, which are in demand by modern student youth and, by developing the initiative of the individual, allow self-realization in professional, personal and social life.