How Being Involved in Extracurriculars Offers a World of Opportunity!

Extracurriculars are increasingly important for students to join and broaden their horizon.

Authored by Rachel Oria

It’s a common misconception that the highest-achieving students are just those who dedicate all their time to their academics. Although it is beneficial for students to be focused on excelling in their core subjects, there are also other factors that can contribute to their success. Acing exams and getting near-perfect grades might earn a student a place in their school’s Top 10 ranking, but to be truly well-rounded a student must be involved in more than just in-classroom activities. Think of high school as a salad: the base represents the academic portion, but to make the salad even more enjoyable, it has to have a variety of toppings and dressings. These add-ons are the extracurricular activities that high school students participate in. The positive impact that extracurriculars leave on students is immense. 

​From athletics to fine arts, there is something for everyone. No matter what fields students choose to take on in their out-of-classroom endeavors, extracurriculars can improve a student’s academic, social, and personal life. Most sports, clubs, and school organizations require their members to maintain a certain GPA or have certain grades. This serves as academic motivation for students who want to continue being a part of their extracurricular activities. It also strengthens their bond with their school. The inclusive environments that extracurriculars create give students a place where they can be seen and be more involved in their school events. For example, joining the student government body allows students to stay up-to-date with what is going on inside their school. By giving students even more reasons to enjoy being at school, the school pride that extracurriculars induce is another great motivator to keep attending school and striving to do the best they can¹. Overall, these activities allow high schoolers to have higher performance in all in-school areas. 

In addition to the opportunities students can find within their schools, there are also extracurriculars that await them outside of the classroom. These include activities such as internships, jobs, and community service. Internships give students a way to experience a job setting that allows them to network with various professionals. They show the day-to-day lives of experts in a certain field, allowing students to decide if that specific career is right for them. Some students prefer to jump right into the work field instead of dipping their toes. Though it may not seem like it, a part-time job can also be considered as an extracurricular activity. Work experience is something that most colleges and universities look for in their applicants’ papers. By showing commitment to a job, students showcase their determination, skill set, and ambitions, which are all great factors for colleges to examine.² However, not all students are able to dedicate their time to a part-time gig. Volunteering is always an amazing alternative that combines a student’s interests with their need to help their community. Whether it be at a local animal shelter or at a nearby food bank, there are tons of businesses willing to open their arms to teenagers who are eager to do a bit of community service. 

No matter what path students choose, the things they learn in the classroom are extremely helpful in the outside world. Exercising their academic abilities in a real-world setting gives high schoolers the experience necessary for their adult life. In fact, more than half of high school students who add extracurriculars to their portfolio pursue a higher education once they graduate.⁴ 

​Apart from the academic benefits that students receive from joining extracurriculars, there are also innumerable social benefits that reflect in their personal lives. It is crucial that teenagers connect with different people and expand their communication skills. This sets them up to form better relationships with those around them. Being part of an extracurricular puts teens in situations that require teamwork, further developing their leadership skills and their ability to work well with others. Because of this, high schoolers are able to form a circle of friends who share their same interests. While helping them feel comfortable, this is also an opportunity for teens to build on their confidence and their self-esteem.⁵ The personality traits that students develop outside of the classroom are crucial to their overall development in their high school trajectory. Apart from personal growth, extracurriculars allow students to spend their time wisely outside of school hours. Instead of scrolling through social media and sitting around, they can make better use of their time by planning and participating in their activities.

But how exactly can students form part of these extracurricular activities? Well, the first thing that needs to be done is research. Students should give themselves a bit of time to explore what areas of interest they want to dive into and which clubs, organizations, and businesses can fulfill those interests. Career tests or personality tests are a great way for teens to get to know themselves better and on a deeper level. A famous career test that bases its recommendations on the individual’s personality is the Myers-Briggs Test. It asks a series of questions and places people in different categories that can be used as a career assessment tool.⁶ Other tests can also be taken. Within this research, high schoolers should also contact professionals and adults with experience that might be able to help them secure spots in some extracurriculars. The next step would be to investigate what opportunities their individual school offers. At Mater Academy, for example, a club fair is hosted each September. At this event, all the school’s clubs and organizations gather in the gymnasium and in the cafeteria and demonstrate what they all have to offer. 

What about those students who are not sure what specific areas they want to be involved in? For those with clouding doubts and uncertainties, there is always time to jump around and join clubs that are more broad. By having a chance to experience a bit of everything, high schoolers can make better decisions on what they want to do in their future lives. It is also recommended that they speak to their teachers, counselors, and advisors for advice on what extracurriculars are best fit for them. No matter what students are interested in, there is always an extracurricular topping waiting to be added to their high school salad.

¹ NCES

² ScholarPrep Nation

³ GitNux

⁴ GitNux

⁵ Crimson Education

⁶ Myers-Briggs