From personal experience, increasing my engagement within school has improved my attitude towards school. In past years, my only engagement was the high school soccer team. The size of the team itself (two JV teams with one varsity team) gave me an easier time adjusting to each year of highschool. Starting freshman year with no friends wasn’t a worry because every class had at least one person from soccer.
Colleges and universities usually strive to provide quality education. They’re known for their multitude of resources, activities, and advisory to help students settle into their institution. While some of it may serve as a way to attract students to the university, the purpose is directed towards making students feel a sense of belonging.
Student engagement is such a crucial aspect of good learning. Of course, people can still have excellent grades with zero extracurriculars, but in a way, they are missing out. Extracurriculars, like clubs and sports, can teach teens problem-solving skills, time management, teamwork, and more. There’s a reason why colleges look for extracurriculars on applications, because they want students who have developed those skills.
Extracurricular activities ensure a student’s mental well-being, especially towards learning. Being in a classroom with little sense of belonging can hinder learning. An uncomfortable environment makes lessons appear irrelevant. Why bother learning the Pythagorean Theorem when all the brain is only thinking, “Nine more minutes until I can get out of here.” Not to mention, being engaged in school helps students find a feeling of familiarity. The more confident a person feels in an environment, the more likely they’ll take advantage of its opportunities. Struggling kids can, who participate in sports or clubs, will ask for help from friends and teachers more.
Some argue that extracurriculars or outside activities can take away from time spent studying, and they’re not too far from the truth. The ambitious kids who do it all sometimes spread themselves too thin. Either they’re trading good grades or their own freetime, and the majority of those students give up their leisure time. However, the amount of activities shouldn’t be the focus. Instead, students should pursue activities that they find meaningful or are passionate about. All in all, it can contribute to building up a person’s identity.
