Getting involved in extracurricular activities
It’s more valuable than you may think!

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Believe it or not, success during the high school years isn’t just about how well your teen performs academically. Granted, grades do matter when it comes to meeting graduation requirements, getting accepted into college and securing scholarships.

However, there is another important aspect of high school that takes place outside of the regular school day. As we kick off a new school year, this issue of High School Parent will look at the importance of extracurricular activities during the high school years. 

Colleges look for students who are involved
It’s no secret that many colleges are getting choosier about the students they accept. College admissions officers are looking for students who have applied themselves academically during the high school years and have used their free time in enriching ways.

The activities that teens choose to take part in outside of the classroom tell prospective schools much more than grades on paper. A roster of extracurricular activities lets colleges know that teens have made a meaningful contribution to something larger then themselves, can maintain long-term commitments and can juggle their priorities successfully. With some private or specialized college and trade schools, a teen’s participation in activities related to the courses they offer can make the difference between an acceptance or rejection letter. They can also mean lucrative scholarships and awards. 

Despite the weight that colleges place on a well-rounded high school experience, administrators say that teens should become involved with extracurricular activities based on a genuine interest -- not because they think they need to pad their high school transcripts. After all, this is the perfect time for teens to “follow their bliss,” choosing activities that match their interests – or pique their curiosity. 

Involved students reap other benefits
Beyond positioning teens well for college, there are many meaningful lessons that come from being a member of an athletic team or involved in a school club. For example: 

• A sense of belonging. For many students, the high school experience can seem pretty big and a little overwhelming. Extracurricular activities provide an opportunity to meet new friends and develop a sense of belonging. A high school senior who has played volleyball since her freshman year says that being a part of the school’s team has given her a sense of connection to the high school community. The team has also been a security blanket of sorts. “It is a whole lot easier walking into a new class on the first day of school and seeing someone who is on your team,” she says.

According to one mother, being African-American in a predominantly white high school was often an uncomfortable match for her now grown son. Hooking up with a student/teacher organization that worked to end racism provided a forum where her son could talk with other teens about the problems they faced and collectively work for solutions. She credits the group with keeping her son in school and giving him a sense that he wasn’t alone. 

• Improved academics. Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege and students know they have to meet and maintain a minimum grade point average to play sports or take part in clubs. This can often provide the additional motivation needed to stay on top of their schoolwork.

• Better organizational/time management skills. When they add a team or new interest on top of an ample course load, teens have to learn to juggle, prioritize and manage their time—skills they’ll definitely need in college… and in life. One junior uses a computer-based calendar application to plot and keep on top of his many commitments. This function color codes each activity and helps him visualize when he has up-coming events that might coincide a class project. Though he admits that he’s not always successful at getting everything done -- and sometimes needs to miss meetings in order to study for a test -- he says that staying organized is the one way he makes sure he can enjoy all of the things he likes without becoming overwhelmed. 

• Life skills/maturity. Extracurricular activities can also show teens how class work applies to the “real world” outside of school. Many clubs get involved in fund raising and direct education—great uses for the language arts and math skills that teens have been honing for a decade or more. Others, such as Key Club, have a strong community service component that allows teens first-hand opportunities to give back to the community through volunteer activities such as helping out at the local soup kitchens, visiting nursing homes or raising money for charities. Along the way teens learn valuable organizational skills and discover the satisfaction that comes from helping others.

How much is too much? 
When it comes to choosing what to be involved with, the emphasis should always be on quality over quantity—in other words, a commitment to one to three activities a teen really cares about is better than superficial involvement in seven or eight.