Did you know that students who participate in extracurricular activities are 80 percent more likely to excel in their academics? Well, extracurricular activities have not only been proven to be essential for a student’s success in academics but also have many added benefits. They provide opportunities for students to learn important values such as perseverance, teamwork, and more. The advantages of participating in extracurriculars include improved life skills, confidence, motivation, academics, college admissions, and the list continues!
Extracurricular activities are some of the best ways to improve your confidence, motivation, and self-esteem. By moving out of your comfort zone and exploring new activities, you’ll see the growth that will improve your self-confidence! Also, when you achieve goals, accomplish and win things, such as awards or honors, it pushes you to keep doing better and achieve more.
Another important aspect is college admissions. It’s important for you to participate in several different extracurriculars to create a strong profile and show how well-rounded you are. Colleges are interested in seeing that you went outside the box and have a wide range of interests and talents. When it comes to college applications, it’s important to note that while academics play a big part, extracurriculars also carry a lot of weight.
According to a study by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, about 44 percent of colleges believe that extracurriculars are moderately important for applications. It’s always a great idea to participate in activities that relate to any areas of study you are considering in your future education.
Extracurriculars are a great way to attain personal growth, which you’ll need whether it’s in or outside the workplace. One factor in this is the ability to enhance crucial life skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and more. Depending on what you choose to involve yourself in, you can learn a lot that will be to your advantage. For example, by participating in team sports, you’re much more likely to improve your leadership and teamwork skills, because you need to be able to work well with your team. These same skills will allow you to work well with and proficiently guide others in your job. You can also take away the lesson of time management, which will ensure that you are able to efficiently manage your academics and activities while staying on top of both of them.
An additional benefit of extracurriculars is the improved academic performance. In a study by the University of California, data showed that students who spent 1–10 hours per week on extracurricular activities had a higher GPA compared to those who didn’t. Students who partake in these programs also tend to have more academic satisfaction and a greater sense of belonging in their surroundings. By participating in activities, students are more likely to display better performance in their academics and schoolwork. The lessons they learn through extracurriculars, such as time management, can aid them in their studies.
In conclusion, by participating in extracurricular activities students gain many benefits that can have a positive impact on them. They learn many skills that enable them to overcome obstacles and navigate their journey in the real world. Invest your time and participate in extracurricular activities. You’re sure to benefit in the long run.
Read more articles related to personal development and education on our Zealousness blog Personal Development – iN Education Inc. (ineducationonline.org).
References:
- Roth, Maggie. 2023. “The Extra Mile: How Extracurricular Activities Impact College Admissions.” Northern Virginia Magazine. December 29, 2023.
- 2023. “Factors in the Admission Decision.” National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). August 23, 2023. https://www.nacacnet.org/factors-in-the-admission-decision/.
- Zak, Katie. 2024. “The Importance of Extracurriculars.” Untapped Learning. April 2, 2024. https://untappedlearning.com/the-importance-of-extracurricular-activities/.
- “Why Extracurricular Activities and Sports Are so Important.” 2023. St. Johnsbury Academy. 2023. https://stjacademy.org/a-culture-of-caring-and-respect/the-boarding-experience/7-things-in-common-with-the-best-private-schools/why-extracurricular/.
- “Student Engagement and Success Extracurricular Participation and Student Success.” 2023. https://www.ucop.edu/institutional-research-academic-planning/_files/extra-curricular-participation-and-student-success.pdf.
- “The Impact of Extracurricular Activities on Academic Success | Honor Society – Official Honor Society® Website.” 2023. Www.honorsociety.org. June 2, 2023. https://www.honorsociety.org/articles/impact-extracurricular-activities-academic-success.
