In the competitive admissions scene of today, admission officials search for more than simply a high GPA and perfect test results; this is where extracurricular activities play a crucial part. Although many people have different views on the topic they disregard the benefits they hold. Most people have this misconception that besides schoolwork everything else doesn’t hold much value but they are wrong. Colleges look for your ability to interact within the campus community, contribution to campus life and academic discussions. Most importantly Extracurricular activities shape and elevate you as a person while highlighting your qualities and capabilities in front of the admissions officers.
With that being said, the majority of students want to engage in activities that they find enjoyable while juggling their interests with opportunities for personal development and college applications. Participating in extracurricular activities not only fills your leisure time but also develops your leadership abilities, demonstrates commitment, and highlights your unique talents.
Traditional academic measures have given way to a more holistic approach in the evolution of college admissions. With the application pool constantly growing, admissions authorities are now searching for more distinguished profiles with a range of experiences and perspectives. This change suggests that while academic achievement is still a goal, it is no longer the only one. Elite colleges look for evidence of extreme drive and initiative, demonstrated by challenging tasks that demonstrate a person’s resolve, far more than just grades.
Engaging in extracurricular activities is more of a requirement than a choice if your goal is to study at one of the best institutions in the world. In light of this, you might use this article to gain an understanding of the advantages and subsequently choose the option that best meets your needs.
Extracurricular activities are by definition extracurricular pursuits that aren’t addressed in regular college or school courses; they are beneficial and purposeful activities taken on top of regular coursework. Extracurriculars don’t only include clubs or athletics but also can comprise your favorite hobbies or part-time jobs as all of these enhance commitment, social skills while equally putting the spotlight on your ability to tackle problems (problem solving) and your decision-making skills. These skills are vital for each and every field so are given the most importance.
In some scenarios, students choose activities different from their aspiring career in order to improve personal growth. This is an ample opportunity to show off their leadership, organizational skills and commitment. These qualities don’t develop through GPA score or by sitting in a classroom; you need to work on them in your free time.
The list goes on and on… never-ending; you could basically turn any hobby into an extracurricular.
There have been numerous experiments and researches done to prove the positive effects of adding extracurriculars to daily life. For example, Shady 1970 conducted an experiment where he concluded that boys who participated in athletics did much better in their academics compared to students who didn’t participate. Furthermore, many journals and medical researches have successfully correlated academic success to extracurriculars.
Deciding the type of extracurricular that suits you can be very challenging to find because this varies from person to person, their interests, sometimes the relevance with the career you want to pursue, etc. Extracurriculars are the best way to develop a positive lifestyle and exciting academic experience.
Concerns about extracurricular activities taking up too much time and detracting from schoolwork are shared by some parents and kids, who fear that this may lower their grades. However, depending on the kind of extracurricular activity you participate in, evidence indicates that extracurricular activities might improve kids’ performance in academic areas like science, math, and English. Whatever you do, it will always teach you useful skills that aren’t covered in a school.
It’s very important to acknowledge the fact that your schoolwork still takes precedence.
It’s human nature to experience a positive sensation of satisfaction when we accomplish something we’ve been seeking, this improves self-confidence which encourages us to get involved in more competitions. It’s proven that having low levels of negativity can improve your health both physically and psychologically. Universities/colleges know the importance of emotional health because it links to how well you perform in your selected courses. This is why extracurriculars are an important criterion for many universities. Extracurriculars are a way to display how you’ve invested in personal growth and mental stability for your college life.
Let’s face it, forming new friendships can be difficult, and wasting all of your time on technology won’t help. Going out together helps friends become more enduring and improves social skills. It’s simpler to find a topic of conversation with a diverse group of people you meet through extracurricular activities who share your interests despite having different cultures and views.
By actively participating in extracurricular activities, you will be able to improve social skills like communication and confidence making it easier to transition from high school to a university.
Participating in extracurricular activities develops important life skills that serve as the foundation of life. They teach real-life skills that are useful for workplace success no matter what career pathway you choose. The more you push yourself in your extracurriculars to achieve better, the more you enhance these skills. Bigger commitments require harder paths to success, but every experience you have in life serves as a lesson you will use for the rest of your life.
College admissions officers look for personal qualities and an extraordinary resume that defines your qualities in the form of extracurricular activities you have done in your school life. Your extracurricular pursuits are concrete manifestations of your goals and passions. They present an account of your personality to admissions officers, going beyond your academic performance. A crucial factor to take into account while choosing extracurricular activities is quality rather than quantity. Admissions officials will be more impressed with a small number of highly important involvements that complement your passion and dedication rather than by an extensive list of superficial engagements.
Research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic stated that youngsters and adults who engaged in outdoor activities had reduced anxiety and hyperactivity during the pandemic. Children reported high levels of self-confidence, reduced stress, and high self-esteem and low drug use. Low levels of depression and high levels of good moods and fulfillment from children who spent less than 2 hours on screen.
Participating in extracurricular activities gives off an opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Sometimes we meet classmates & teachers, which allows us to build and maintain relationships that might be helpful in connections and opportunities in the future.
If you want to improve your networking skill, you should consider work experiences in various workplaces, internships, and non-profitable companies to gain some experience in the role you are interested in.
Instead of wasting your free time staring at a screen for hours on end, engage in happy-making activities with extracurriculars. ECAs are a great way to unwind and treat oneself after a demanding school day in addition to helping with homework. It provides you with the chance to investigate many areas of interest while laying a solid foundation for a life beyond academia. Maintaining strong mental health in addition to academic performance is crucial for the long term.
From a young age, parents should encourage their kids to take part in different activities so that growing up they are able to find an interest that best suits them. There is a wide range of activities to choose from, for example:
There are many platforms available on the internet that guide you to your dream universities, for instance, Prodgii is an innovative AI-powered platform backed by alumni from top universities worldwide, as well as angel investors from Google, Meta, and Intel!
This platform will aid you with your college applications by providing you with top mentors who will individually help improve your application.
The benefits of Extracurricular activities outweigh the negatives. With the help of these activities you can start off by making new friends to slowly gain important skills. ECAs are a tool of self improvement and starting off college life with more confidence while opening doors to multiple opportunities.
If you ever feel stuck and don’t know what to do, just sit down and give it deep thought. You can always change the future with your decisions so instead of giving up, join clubs that would support you through your journey by providing adequate mental support!
If you feel like you need help with your college application message progidii and speak with us so we can try our best to help you achieve what you’ve been aspiring for.
