Reflecting on your high school years, you often remember more than just textbooks and exams. You remember the friends you made, the games you played, the songs you loved and sang, and the clubs you joined.
In my case, I remember my high school years with fondness to a large degree because of the extracurricular activities in which I participated – specifically, school sports and student government. I believe these activities were where a good deal of my formation as an adult came from. They provided me with educational benefits above and beyond the academic programs in my high school.
School should be more than just an academic institution. It should be where lifelong skills are honed and lasting memories are created. It is an important time in your life in which a lot is going on: you are physically growing, learning many social skills, and acquiring character traits that should serve you well as you enter adulthood. To promote these endeavors, a robust extracurricular program during your high school years is essential. Good extracurricular activities help to produce well-rounded individuals and prepare them for the challenges in their futures.
Extracurricular activities, ranging from sports programs to art and music clubs, from hobby groups to academic teams and charity organizations, offer many benefits. Here are some benefits students derive from participating in common-interest clubs and activities.
Instill Teamwork Skills
In contrast to the often solitary nature of coursework, high school extracurricular activities provide an ideal platform for students to refine their teamwork and collaboration skills. Being a productive team member is a valuable and practical skill that is instrumental when students enter the business world. Students learn how cooperating with others toward a common goal can be very powerful, allowing them to achieve outcomes that would not be possible on their own. Students learn to recognize and value the different gifts that everyone can offer. The capacity to be a team player and adapt to different working environments is a skill that will stand them in good stead no matter what their future holds.
Cultivate Leadership Opportunities
One of the most valuable aspects of extracurricular activities is their capacity to cultivate leadership skills. Students who participate in teams, organizations, and clubs where all members have a common interest will have opportunities to take on leadership roles that are not available in the classroom. They will learn responsibility and accountability and acquire a newfound respect for the burdens — as well as the benefits — of leadership. It is an opportunity for students to discover their strengths and weaknesses. These experiences can serve as a cornerstone for success in adulthood.
Develop Time Management Skills
Involvement in extracurricular activities often requires a significant amount of time. This time commitment is on top of the students’ coursework and can require work to be performed at night or on weekends. When students have a lot of activities, they quickly learn to use their limited time wisely. Balancing assignments, practices, meetings, travel, performances, games, and tournaments instills a sense of discipline and organization. Good time management is a useful skill no matter what the future holds, but it is especially valuable for those who enter college and, later, business and family life.
Promote Networking Skills
With extracurricular activities, students are not just showing up in class at a scheduled time to listen to a lecture. Instead, they have to be active participants in the group to which they belong, which means honing communication skills and building relationships with peers, sponsors, mentors, and, depending on the nature of the activity, the public. These networking skills centered on a common interest teach them a lot about the need for good communication between colleagues and how to build lasting relationships. Establishing good working relationships is a critical skill that can be fostered through extracurricular activities.
Build Confidence
Confidence is an invaluable asset to anyone in every aspect of life. Students build self-esteem by improving their skills to gain a higher level of competency or expertise. Extracurricular activities provide a platform that encourages students to set goals, work diligently, and ultimately achieve those goals. This process fosters a sense of self-assuredness and instills in them the conviction that they can overcome challenges and achieve success when they are willing to dedicate sufficient time and effort. Armed with this confidence, they are better equipped to tackle new challenges that life will present, even when confronted with obstacles.
Improve Academic Performance
Contrary to the belief that extracurricular activities distract students from their academics, extracurricular activities can actually enhance a student’s performance in the classroom. When students engage in activities they are passionate about, they learn to concentrate and manage their time to become more efficient. These skills naturally spill over into academic life, resulting in improved performance. In the case of sports or performing arts, students develop physical and mental stamina that bolsters their ability to excel academically. Moreover, the students are happier because these extracurricular activities coincide with their personal interests and tastes. They are likely to make more friends and participate in more communal. When students approach school with positive attitudes and associations, they perform better.
Build Character
Involvement in extracurricular activities means doing something outside of the minimum: scheduled classes and the work that is assigned to you. For many students, this can mean stepping outside of one’s “comfort zone” and facing an unfamiliar situation. Stepping out on your own like that is an important part of growing up. For competitive activities like sports and debate, there is also the risk of failure – after all, there can only be one league champion. Learning to lose gracefully, picking yourself after failing, or even learning to win with grace are experiences that teach students traits like determination, perseverance, and resolve. Facing challenges, adversity, and overcoming failure teach important lessons and build strength of character.
There are reasons why extracurricular activities are an essential component of a solid high school education. The benefits are especially important to students who may not receive enough positive feedback and interaction from their family life. These reasons make a robust extracurricular program in high schools a necessity, not a luxury.
The high school experience is pivotal in shaping individuals for their future lives. In our school district, we want to produce students who are not just academically proficient but also socially adept, responsible, well-rounded citizens and leaders ready to tackle the world’s challenges. As parents, educators, and community members, let’s champion the importance of these programs and ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate and flourish in them.
As School Board Trustee of District #271, Zone Two, I have every intention of continuing this commitment to shaping our region’s future – because our students are our future employees, leaders, and neighbors. A vote for me is truly a vote for optimal opportunities for students, parents, and families as whole. Vote Jimmy McAndrew on November 7, 2023.