Dear America: Get Involved in Your School Community

Get involved in your school while still you can! If you go your whole school career without participating in any extracurricular activities, there is a big chance you will regret it.

If clubs aren’t for you, try a sport! If sports aren’t for you, try a club! There are so many options for clubs and sports teams. Participation in clubs, sports, or even better – both – will help you succeed.

This can help you with your college applications as well. According to Bigfuture.collegeboard.org, “Participating in extracurricular activities like clubs, sports, or a job can foster new interests and help you discover more about yourself. Admissions committees also review the extra-academic activities listed on your college application to help decide whether to give you an offer of admission.”

There are so many positive impacts extracurricular activities can have on you. The Center for Parent and Teen Communication says these can “improve academic abilities”, “expand possibilities for identity development”, “bolster personal growth”, “cultivate character development”, and “build relationships.”

At almost all schools, there are a wide variety of clubs and sports offered. You could participate in a club that is just for fun, such as an art club, or you could participate in a club that focuses on something you care about and might want to focus on in college, such as DECA.

As far as sports go, there are three seasons, each offering different sports for you to try. If you are new to a sport, no worries. Most schools have both a JV and a Varsity team, and some even offer middle school teams. If you don’t end up making the team, no worries – at least you gave it a try.

Worried about the cost? The good news is that many clubs offered at schools are free of charge. Yes, sports do come with a fee, but the school can very likely help you with the cost upon request.

Still not sold? Here are more benefits: “One of the main benefits of extracurricular activities is giving your child a chance to explore something they’re interested in that isn’t offered during traditional school hours.” They also say that they can help you become more social and meet new people, and they teach you time management.

With all of these proven benefits, you should give some club or sport or–even better, both–a try! America, get involved in your school!