The most significant college applicants once had perfect test scores, excellent grades, and well-rounded extracurriculars, but the admissions process is constantly changing. The minimum standards for admission have evolved as institutions get more applications each year. Top institutions now need far more, especially in terms of extracurricular activities. Admissions officials today are looking for a strong personal narrative that demonstrates considerable drive and initiative.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY EXTRACURRICULAR?
Before we discuss the benefits for college applicants. Let’s define extracurricular activities in the context of your university admissions journey. According to their definition, extracurricular activities are “pursued in addition to the regular course of study.” Extracurricular activities actually make applying to colleges a little more difficult since they necessitate a consistent time commitment, a certain amount of responsibility and initiative, and, in the best cases, a team of leaders that are not typically present in the classroom. There are students who involve too much in extracurricular activities which leads them to search “pay someone to do my online class”, just because they don’t miss out on their activities.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY EXAMPLES
Examples include establishing a podcast, taking a coding course online, or even opening a business. Yet there are several opportunities for extracurricular activities, and undertaking challenging tasks isn’t the only method to stick in admissions examiners’ minds. Extracurricular activities help you stay active. Students who do not keep themselves active are more likely to consult the physician than students who participate actively (Bray, Kwan, 2006).
The main reason why you should start planning your extracurricular activities as soon as you can in high school is because of this. Admissions officers can tell immediately if you list many extracurricular activities on your application. But don’t have any long-term commitments or leadership positions because it suggests that you started projects or joined clubs to add to your list of extracurriculars in preparation for applying to colleges.
Compared to a long list of activities you’ve only dabbled in, a narrower list of extracurriculars demonstrating a longer-term commitment and increasing responsibility is considerably more beneficial.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Let’s go over the importance of extracurricular activities for high school students now that you know what they are and how they improve your college applications.
Extracurricular Activities for High School Students:
1. Enhanced Academic Results
Some students are concerned that taking part in extracurricular activities will cause them to spend a lot of time away from their academic studies, which will negatively affect their grades. They can search for “Pay Someone to Take My Statistics Class” if they don’t excel in academics. But extracurricular activities can improve your attitude about school as a whole.
Participating in activities you are passionate about can enhance your brain activity, concentration, and time management, all of which aid in your academic success. High-intensity sports, for instance, will educate you to focus and build stamina in the face of adversity. Whenever it comes to studying and taking tests, you gain from this. It is vital to keep up with the time now that AI has nearly taken over most businesses, including education.
Many studies have been done on the connection between extracurricular activities and academic performance. They all demonstrate that students who participate in them achieve higher grades, have better attitudes toward learning, and have higher academic expectations.
2. Explore Interests and Form Wider Views
You’ll get the chance to explore a variety of hobbies and discover passions you had no idea you possessed. When you partake in various activities! Also, having a variety of interests broadens your perspective.
Think about doing it this way: By joining a philosophy club, you can start to see the world from the perspective of a future philosopher.
3. A Greater Self Esteem
As you become more successful at the activities you love to do, your self-confidence will grow. Imagine, for example, that your math teacher encourages you to compete since you are a strong math student. You begin your preparations for the national math competition and sign up for the school team.
Seeing how much fun math can be and how talented you boost your confidence.
By putting in the effort and learning new skills in a pleasant, laid-back, and occasionally competitive environment, you can succeed without the pressure of getting a good score. Also, you’ll be more inclined to take risks in all aspects of your life as your confidence increases, not just in math competitions.
4. Social Possibilities
Let’s be honest here. Finding friends can be difficult but you can do it by easily with these activities. Any extracurricular activity allows you to increase your social network, which is beneficial when seeking a career.
You can be a more social person and can make more friends in your extracurricular activities. For instance, if you meet a few friends while volunteering at your school, you can decide to form a volunteer club and have a significant impact on your neighborhood.
5. Useful Rest Time
Thanks to extracurricular activities, you have enjoyable activities to do after school. Also, it gives you a chance to take a break from reading and discover your hobbies in order to determine what you could be interested in outside of the classroom. For example, you might learn how to start a podcast. Take the necessary pause. You merit it.
6. Vital Life Competencies
One of the most significant advantages extracurricular activities offer you is “real world” skills, in addition to all the advantages already mentioned.
These abilities comprise:
- Setting goals.
- Teamwork.
- Time administration.
- Prioritization.
- Problem solving.
- Analytical reasoning.
- Leadership.
- Speaking in public.
You can improve these skills further with the help of extracurricular activities. If you love to code, you might join the school’s coding club, where you can hone your problem-solving, analytical thinking, and teamwork abilities.
Also read: What Are The Benefits Of Learning AWS?
You can start your own coding club, that way you can show more enthusiasm. You can hone your leadership, time management, and prioritization, goal-setting, and public speaking abilities. Read more about developing a leadership portfolio from a concept.
That entails a lot of accountabilities. You will learn a new talent that you can use for the rest of your life with every step.
7. Make Resumes Better
Your extracurricular activities are one of the only ways hiring managers can evaluate your skills and work ethic if you have yet to gain prior professional experience.
For instance, if you were on a debate team, your manager would know your excellent teamwork abilities, professional argumentation skills, and experience in front of a crowd.
8. Applications to Universities
With extracurricular activities, admission to any US or UK university is possible. Universities in the US and UK want to know that you have excelled in your field and gone beyond in your chosen subject.
Suppose you’ve joined a chemistry club, taken additional chemistry classes at your local institution, and volunteered in a lab. In that case, UK universities are more likely to admit you if you wish to major in chemistry.
Even though it seems like a lot, extracurricular activities are even more significant for US universities. Leadership and extracurricular activities make up about 30% of your application.
You aren’t limited to just one passion at US universities. Participate in scriptwriting, directing, international film festivals, and movie screenings that support environmental research if you wish to study science and love filmmaking. Your chances of getting into your dream institution will enhance if you are the president of the scientific club at your school.
FINAL REFLECTIONS
Whenever you participate in extracurricular activities, you should keep their advantages in your mind and try making the best of your interest. The lessons you’ll acquire from participating in worthwhile extracurricular activities will aid your job search, the college application process, and overall quality of life.
Reference
Bray, S. R., & Kwan, M. Y. (2006). Physical activity is associated with better health and psychological well-being during transition to university life. Journal of American College Health, 55(2), 77-82.
HWD, (2021). Artificial Intelligence. Online Available at https://www.helpwithdissertation.co.uk/blog/artificial-intelligence/
