Researched and written by: Aleksey Moshkov, Lead Engineer for EnvisionSTEM
Many students are puzzled about what to do after school. Extra-academic activities are a perfect way to spend after-school time as they are a valuable part of student education and overall development. Extra-academic activities refer to activities that take place outside of the traditional classroom setting. These activities have a wide variety to choose from, such as; sports, music, art, and other extracurricular activities. Students will learn academic skills in extra-academic occupations such as; improved academic achievements, teamwork, introduction to new experiences, and time management.
Extra-academic activities provide innumerable benefits to academic achievements.
A study conducted by O'Brien and Rollefson of the NCES, 1992, shows that participants who took extra-academic activities had; fewer absences, higher GPAs, and higher achievements than participants that took no extra-academic activities. This will provide new insights and understanding into the most effective methods for education. Extra-academic interests may lead to new learning strategies and approaches that can be used effectively by students. Extra-academic activities can help explore new skills and interests that may lead to new passions. Improved education can have a positive impact on students by causing them to achieve their full potential.
Many extracurricular activities involve working with others as part of a team. Teamwork is a crucial skill in the future that can bring many benefits to an organization. Teamwork improves efficiency by distributing the work according to teammates' strengths. Furthermore, “Businesses thrive when they have a diverse team of people who can contribute individual ideas” (YTI). With more people working on a project, a greater quantity of ideas will be introduced. When working in groups, communicating is practiced frequently, allowing maximum productivity and coordination. More communication also improves confidence when speaking, leading to obtaining a better ability for public speaking. Working in a team can improve morale by giving members a sense of belonging and allowing a sense of pride in their work. In addition, members of an organization may support each other to improve motivation and be less inclined to give up on a project.
Students can sharpen their skills or master new ones, which are used in real-world situations. Crimson Education states, “When you participate in different activities, you’ll get the opportunity to explore a range of interests and unlock passions you never knew you had”. Extracurricular activities can expose students to new experiences, further developing their understanding of what they want to pursue in the future. Furthermore, colleagues may help each other in the future by sharing their knowledge and experience. This gives students help with challenging tasks in the future that they might struggle with.
Extra-academic activities are an important factor in the college application process—being involved demonstrates that you are an excellent contestant for the college, have diverse interests, and have commitments beyond your academic work. According to Crimson Education, “In fact, extracurricular activities and leadership account for about 30% of your application”. Extra-academic activities can enhance your resume and make you catch the eye of admissions officers. Specifically, these ventures demonstrate a development in unique skills that one will implement into their career in the future.
Time management is a necessary skill that helps with planning and organization. Participating in extra-academic activities requires students to manage their schedules effectively. Students will learn to balance their responsibilities and develop valuable time management skills. Therefore, students will eliminate harmful skills such as procrastinating during downtimes and replace them with rewarding activities. Students will improve their focus when completing tasks—not being tempted by distractions, resulting in getting work done faster. In addition, students can distribute their focus to the skill of multitasking, which will help them accomplish responsibilities in shorter periods.
Overall, participation in extra-academic activities can be an excellent way to enhance education and personal growth while enjoying the experience with newly formed friendships. The benefits provided will help you be successful in your professional endeavors. Students baffled about what to accomplish after school should explore what extra-academic activities are available.
Works Cited
O'Brien, Eileen and Mary Rollefson. “Extracurricular Participation and Student Engagement” National Center for Educational Statistics, Jun. 1995 https://nces.ed.gov/pubs95/web/95741.asp#:~:text=Extracurricular%20activities%20provide%20a%20channel,of%20a%20well%2Drounded%20education Accessed Dec. 2022
“Top 8 Benefits of Extracurricular Activities for High School Students” Crimson Education, Apr. 2022 https://www.crimsoneducation.org/us/blog/extracurriculars/benefits-of-extracurricular-activities/ Accessed Dec. 2022
“Why Extracurricular Activities and Sports Are so Important” St. Johnsburg Academy, https://stjacademy.org/a-culture-of-caring-and-respect/the-boarding-experience/7-things-in-common-with-the-best-private-schools/why-extracurricular/ Accessed Dec. 2022
Wright, Edward. “Extracurricular Activities are Important for High Schoolers — Here's Why” Neumann University, Jul. 2018 https://learn.neumann.edu/neudirections/extracurricular-activities-are-important-for-high-schoolers-heres-why Accessed Dec. 2022
“Why Extracurricular Activities Are So Important” Mountain Heights Academy, Dec. 2020 https://mountainheightsacademy.org/why-extracurricular-activities-are-so-important/ Accessed Dec 2022
York Technical Institute. “Reasons Teamwork is Important in the Workplace” YTI Career Institute Mar. 2015 https://yti.edu/blog/reasons-teamwork-is-important-in-the-workplace Accessed Dec. 2022
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