|
It's more valuable than you may think!
Believe it or not, success during the high school years isn't
just about how well your teen performs academically. There's an
important aspect of high school that takes place after the last
bell rings each day. This issue of High School Parent will look
at how much extracurricular activities can add to your teen's
high school experience.
Colleges look for students who are involved. It's no secret that
many colleges are choosy 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.
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. 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.
-
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. In fact,
students who participate in school clubs and athletic teams
tend to have higher grade point averages than their less
involved peers.
-
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
upcoming events that might coincide with 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 clubs have a strong community service component that
allows teens first-hand opportunities to give back to the
community through such volunteer activities as helping out at
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.
Want to find out what the high
school has to offer? Check out Schalmont High School's Clubs
and Activities page!
For permission to reprint this article, please contact the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service at (518) 786-3263 or email us at
dbushsuf@gw.neric.org.
[ TOP
OF PAGE ]
|
