The Benefits of Extracurricular Activities

The Benefits of Extracurricular Activities

Many outside activities, whether sports or clubs, are pursued with other students and guiding adults.

Although electronic pursuits have an increasing presence in a student’s life, plenty of children still participate in interests outside of school. Those students are enjoying some benefits that are not only valuable in their current lives, but for their future as well.

Making commitments

Video games and apps do not require a commitment. Students can turn them off for weeks at a time and resume wherever they left off. Most extracurriculars teach a student what it means to follow through on a long-term commitment. Colleges love this benefit because they accept students who are likely to see their education through to the end.

Time management and prioritizing

Inherently, a student with extracurricular activities is busier than one without. This forces the student to organize their time wisely and prioritize their activities. Again, this is a valuable life skill in college and beyond.

Collaboration

Many outside activities, whether sports or clubs, are pursued with other students and guiding adults. Collaboration might be the most valuable skill that a student can learn to prepare themselves for the working world.

Self-esteem

Because students are usually working together as a group, club, or team, they tend to experience more success. For students who believe they cannot be successful in their pursuits, this is a valuable self-esteem boost. They also often find that they become valuable, if not indispensable, members of the group.

Less chance of negative behavior

Although this might not be a concern for some students, if a child is busy with activities outside of school, they are less likely to seek less desirable activities to pass their time. These activities can range from wasting away indoors all the way to drug use and criminal activity.

Try new things

Many afterschool activities feature students who didn’t think they would be interested at first. Perhaps they only sung in the shower, yet joined a chorus or glee club and found out they have a passion for it. Maybe they find the speed they had on the elementary playground has translated to success in track. Finding a new interest—and success—can make the difference toward becoming a well-rounded student.

Enhanced academic performance

Although the science is still forming, it’s starting to become apparent that interests outside of academic actually help a student’s academic pursuits. It might have to do with brain development, or it could simply be the self-esteem, collaboration, and time management benefits at work.

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