Extracurricular activities can have immense benefits on your health and are a great way to try new things. Whether you’re in high school or college, taking part in extracurriculars like clubs, sports teams, or volunteer work enriches your life. Participating in activities outside of school allows you to explore what inspires you and provides opportunities to develop skills that may even advance your relationships and career someday. In this article, we’ll talk about how getting involved with extracurriculars can benefit students, as well as provide ideas of how you can get involved.
Getting Started
Extracurricular activities can be a great way to explore interests and pursue passions. The best way to get started is to take some time to reflect on what topics interest you most. What subjects do you enjoy most in school? What do you like to do in your free time? What is something new you’d like to learn? Is there a particular sport or student organization that seems interesting? Do you want to help your community or advance a mission?
Once you have narrowed down a few ideas, start researching related organizations. Learn about the purpose, requirements, and expectations. You can even contact the participants or leaders to learn more. That way, you can gain valuable insight as well as an introduction to the organization’s community. When you find one that seems like a good fit, take the steps to join.
Potential Extracurricular Activities
Join a sports team
Joining a sports team is a great way to stay fit and have fun while also bonding with friends or making new ones. You can join an organized team like a school-sponsored athletic program or look into less competitive programs such as an intermural or club team. Some common scholastic sports include volleyball, basketball, soccer, and tennis. Be sure to check what options are offered by your school and park district.
Sports teams mean structure and commitment – not just to yourself but also to your teammates. You will learn the value of dedication, how to be a part of something bigger than yourself, and how to work together towards a common goal. Plus, you get to engage in physical activity on a regular basis. Sports are a great way to have fun and enjoy the camaraderie of a team while getting exercise to contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
Enroll in a club
Participating in an after-school club is a great way to express yourself, socialize, and get involved. These clubs often provide new experiences and challenges, which make them interesting and engaging. For instance, if you join your school’s band, you can learn to play an instrument while improving your stage presence. Or if you join the debate team, you can hone your critical thinking and public speaking skills. Many schools and park districts offer other unique clubs relating to a wide range of hobbies like theatre, coding, or math. Alternatively, you can always petition to start a new club if you are passionate about something that is not available and the interest is shared by fellow peers.
For those interested in helping others, clubs focused on volunteer work provide an easy way to get involved in the local community and involvement also looks great on resumes. From tutoring children to helping with a food drive, there are plenty of opportunities for you to make a difference in your community. Clubs such as Kiwanis and Rotary are a good place to start, or you can ask your school counselors and peers. Regardless of how you participate, volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while making an impact that resonates far beyond it. If you are interested in volunteering and want to learn more, check out our volunteer experience blog for more tips and information.
Benefits of Involvement in Extracurricular Activities
Improves Health
Extracurricular activities can be a great way to get out of the house and be active. Whether you decide to play sports, join a hiking club, or something else, it can serve as an important source of motivation. Physically, extracurriculars that require consistent exercise like running and stretching provide an additional outlet for tension-releasing endorphins that lead to improved focus, more energy, and better sleep.
Furthermore, afterschool activities bring like-minded people together, providing you with the opportunity for you to find peers with whom you can build meaningful relationships. Beyond making new friends, beyond involved in groups helps you learn new things about yourself, like your passions, hidden talents, and other unique attributes. So, no matter what activity you choose, look at it as a potential opportunity for physical, mental, and social-emotional growth.
Academic Gains
Making time for extracurricular activities can provide advantages beyond giving students something fun to do in their free time. Participating in school sports or joining a club can sometimes lead to scholarship opportunities that can make a big difference in financing a college education. Scholarships range from small stipends to full-ride scholarships – so it literally pays to get involved.
Furthermore, research has shown that students involved in after-school activities tend to get better grades and have a higher graduation rate. This is often due to the skills gained, like time management, critical thinking and problem-solving, all of which a student can master from simple activities such as spider Solitaire. Additionally, student-athletes are usually required to maintain a level of eligibility for sports games and club competitions, making them more inclined to attend classes and do well academically. If you or someone you know needs help improving their grades to make eligibility, get assistance by hiring a tutor! At WorldWise Tutoring, we have professional tutors that can help you with any school subject.
Expands Career Opportunities
Attending your college of choice or landing the job of your dreams requires more than a great resume; activities outside of the classroom are just as important to make yourself stand out from other candidates. Colleges and employers often want to see that potential applicants are well-rounded, and participating in extracurriculars allows students to showcase their abilities in other areas such as teamwork, communication, leadership, creativity, and passion.
In addition to getting the chance to gain valuable experience outside of the school environment, extracurricular activities can offer networking opportunities as well. For all you know, fellow alumni from your school robotics team could be the connection to your first engineering job or the leader of your speech team may be able to help you acquire a great paid internship. This is why it’s important to make the most of your extracurricular opportunities by dedicating your time and efforts.
Conclusion
Altogether, extracurricular activities offer a wide range of benefits and opportunities to students. Not only do they provide physical, emotional, and social benefits, but they also offer the potential for scholarships, improved grades in school, and networking opportunities that could land you an amazing job. Making the most out of these activities is essential as they are more than just fun outlets: they offer life-long advantages both inside and outside the classroom.
At WorldWise Tutoring, we understand how difficult it can be trying to balance academic coursework and extracurricular activities. If you feel overwhelmed and need academic assistance in or outside of your classwork, we have professional tutors that can help. Hire a tutor today!
Written by Miguel Correa-West
