Extracurricular activities are a crucial element in school life. Getting involved in clubs, sports, and other activities apart from regular classes can give you new skills and help you learn about yourself — and can be fun. Almost every high school in the United States offers some type of extracurricular activity.
Extracurricular activities are programs organized outside of the regular classes and intended to meet learners' interests. They may include sports, student government, community service, military, arts, volunteering, religion, hobbies, and educational clubs. Regardless of their type and purpose, all complement the academic curriculum, and all serve the major purpose of providing a deeper insight into your personality and interests.
Why Are Extracurricular Activities Important? 🎓
During your college application, admission professionals aren’t just interested in your academic achievements. College is a community, and they are looking for what you can contribute.
As a rule, extracurricular activities should show your commitment to an activity, highlight your leadership skills, social engagement, and add to the picture of a well-rounded person who can concentrate on their passions. In this way, extracurriculars can make a difference during the application process, so you should consider this fact and search for the one you would enjoy.
Personal Benefits of Taking On Extracurriculars
Participating in social groups, sports clubs, and community service is a great way to see and improve your future prospects, enjoy your hobby as a student, and guarantee you find the middle ground between studying and your social engagement. Students engaged in extracurriculars learn individual and group responsibility, physical and mental endurance, team-building skills, and a sense of culture and community.
Being part of any activity is crucial for every student since they offer a myriad of possibilities. Among the most common and general ones we may mention:
A Wider Social Scale
Entering clubs, groups and organizations of interest helps students meet friends from different social groups and expand their networks, which will enhance their employability after graduation. For example, if you took part in some arts club, some peers might be later employed at the company of that field. Thus, when applying for a job in the future, you can use your ex-colleague as a reference.
Better Time Management
Many students admit that adding more commitments to their regular class schedules results in improving time management. Students have to find a golden balance between classes and extracurriculars and are therefore less likely to procrastinate.
Obtaining Professional Skills and Experience
These activities also serve to build professional skills that classes cannot always foster. A speech club, for example, mobilizes public speaking and communication skills, while sports clubs nurture teamwork values and the ability to work for long-term goals.
A Must for Appealing Resume
Extracurriculars equip students with the skills that future employers will require. Part-time jobs, volunteering, community service, or other endeavors arm you with the skills and experience that are essential to increase your chances of getting hired.
The More – The Better?
When you first begin attending high school or college, you may be overwhelmed by the need to take up as many activities as possible. But it is possible to become too enthusiastic about participating in extracurricular activities. That’s not good as it can impair your academic performance and even college admission.
Besides, the admission committee would rather accept a student with two or three steady interests than an endless list of superficial involvements. That’s why it is important to stay consistent with your core activities and avoid taking on too many activities to buffer fatigue.
4 Tips to Choose Wisely the Best Extracurriculars
We know already that participating in extracurricular activities develops your personal traits, professional skills and increases your employability. Here comes the question. How shall we choose the best curricular that would help at college admission? Read on to find the essential tips for choosing extracurriculars:
1. Consider Your Interests
Before setting your mind on the specific activities, take some time to think over what excites you. Ask yourself questions like “What do I do during my free time? What makes me happy and satisfied? Talking to people, helping others, practicing sports, or learning something new?” Questions of this kind will make a clearer path towards the right decision.
2. Explore Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Among the activities you take interest in, pinpoint those you are good at. What skills do they presuppose? Think it over and search for the extracurriculars that require these qualities and are likely to bring you satisfaction and enjoyment. For example, if you have good social skills – take part in group projects, if you excel at sports – you may join some sports club.
3. Don’t Hesitate to Try Something New
Don’t be too shy or self-conscious to try something out that you haven’t done before. Plunging into a completely new task or atmosphere can be daunting. Still, it is always worth trying for at least one day. Extracurricular activities present endless options and you never know which one will become your lifelong passion.
4. Don’t Let Friends Choose for You
If you aren’t a fan of something, joining the group just because your friend is there will not make a difference. Friends come and go, and it is crucial to find what you enjoy doing regardless of social circle. Besides, you can always meet new friends with the same interests as yours!
Broad Classification of Extracurriculars
1. Helping Others
Participating in extracurricular activities with the aim of helping needy causes develops strong social ties with the community. Students can practice problem-solving and leadership skills and become more self-confident thanks to the gained insights. Exposing students to a variety of public problems, such activities shape their identity and create social networks that are beneficial in the long run.
2. Challenging Extracurriculars
Facing and solving real or fake complicated problems helps students develop essential skills necessary for future life. Take chances to resolve challenging issues to be able to cope with unexpected situations. Critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and organization skills, and many more – identify your strengths and weaknesses to build a stronger personality.
3. Offering Work and Life Experience
Extracurriculars will also give you lots of practical knowledge to show off during the job interview. Some activities cultivate work-related skills that will enhance your performance as an employee. Others, like volunteering, internship, or part-time job teach students valuable skills through real situations.
Where Is the Middle Ground Between College and Extracurriculars?
It is not a secret that engaging in extracurriculars entails better attendance and higher academic performance. In addition to this, the NCES proved that such students are more likely to continue their education at college or university. Still, when students are overloaded with studies and supporting their families, it is evident that they have to give up some activities in favor of academic performance.
If you feel that your grades start to slip, re-evaluate your preferences. Leave out certain activities to concentrate on one thing. Don’t try to do everything at once, you may get burned out which will aggravate your situation. Instead, take some time to determine what the reason was and take measures.
Types of Student Organizations
High schools and colleges offer endless options for students to choose from. Whether you are keen on learning new, on sports, or want to use your leadership skills, there is an extracurricular for you.
We present you a list of different types of curricular activities you can expect to find on your school or college campus. Hopefully, you can find one (or more!) that sparks your interest and inspires you to pursue a newly found passion.
- Academic Associations
These academic organizations focus on specific areas of study. The most common examples include math club, science club, debate team, forensics club, and National Honor Society.
- Sports Groups
Being a member of a sports team demonstrates that students work well with their peers and can communicate in multiple modalities. Such clubs allow students to get a nice workout, reduce stress and develop teamwork skills.
- Communication Groups
Joining clubs that presuppose regular conversations and interaction nurtures vitally important skills of modern society. Regardless of students’ career choices, communication skills will help pave the way to their goals.
- Fraternities and Sororities
Many fraternities and sororities encourage their members to get involved in all sorts of interesting community service activities. Joining one of them is a great way to meet other students with the same interests and backgrounds.
- Honors Organizations
Honorary organizations identify students with excellent academic standing and promote their engagement in resolving social issues and maintaining high academic results.
- Language Groups
If you have a keen interest in other cultures and languages, language groups are open to let you dive into the diversity of our world. Students can choose any culture and language and start exploring it with others.
- Literary Clubs
Literary club participants gather regularly to discuss and choose books. The participants improve their debate skills and have the opportunity to collaborate with published authors.
- Military Groups
If your student is interested in learning about discipline, teamwork, and leadership, participating in JROTC or the Civil Air Patrol’s youth program are great options.
- Music Clubs
Band and choir are popular extracurricular activities in many schools. Members of these clubs can practice instrumental or vocal performances and participate in programs and competitions.
- Religious Organizations
Religious clubs on campus offer an environment to express students’ beliefs, celebrate holidays, and share their faith with others.
- Service Organizations
Most colleges require some form of community service for all applicants as it shows their level of responsibility and soft skills. But make sure you apply for the activity you enjoy, not because of its potential benefits.
- Social Clubs
In case you are eager to address some burning issues of your community, don’t miss the chance of joining social clubs. If there's a cause you take interest in, in politics, economics or social issues, search for the local group that supports it.
- Support Groups
Support groups are designed to get together and discuss what bothers students. Sharing stories gives that necessary outlet for emotions and helps resolve personal problems.
- Student Government Association
Their participants represent the ideas, viewpoints, and concerns of their fellow students. Organizing programs, allocating funds and other responsibilities will surely make the cornerstone of a successful person and leader.
Final Tips for How to Choose the Best Extracurricular
Having covered the long list of extracurricular activities, we are sure there is something for everyone. But how to choose just one or two curriculars if you can’t make up your mind? Follow these easy steps:
- Choose a Field of Activity
- Base your decision on whether you or not you truly enjoy this activity. If you like reading books but feel nervous during book discussions, look for something else.
- Find Relevant Clubs
- Search your school’s website for the chosen activity. Some clubs may look quite similar, but details matter a lot. You can realize your desire in various ways!
- Make a List of Options
- Once you have a firmer idea of what this or that activity involves, choose the most appealing options. Also, look for the calendar and other details to make sure it won't distract you from anything.
- Make Your Final Decision
Among the possible options, make TOP 3 or TOP 5 the most alluring ones. And, finally, have a brainstorm over the final choice to be sure you will enjoy this extracurricular for a long time.
Wrapping Up
Even if you haven’t found “that one”, don’t get upset as you are always free to turn your hobbies and interests into something bigger and open your own club. Extracurricular activity is a go-to choice to give the outlet for your passions, find your true calling and create strong social networks. Encountering teamwork, organizational and communication challenges with peers, you will taste the real student life and prepare yourself for a brighter future.
