In addition to academics, schools have a variety of extracurricular activities to choose from. These can include sports, arts, clubs, and religious instruction. All of these can help students get out of their shells and make new friends while developing their interests and skills. A number of programs also offer community service opportunities for children.
Choosing the best extracurriculars for your child will depend on a number of factors, such as their age and abilities. For example, a teen may find participating in sports and other activities a better fit than a middle school student. They may enjoy playing basketball, soccer, baseball, or tennis, for instance. If your teen is not athletic, they may be more interested in a theater or dance club.
Extracurricular activities are an important part of the high school experience. In fact, they can play a key role in college admissions. Besides showing colleges what you’re capable of, they also introduce you to the world outside the classroom and develop skills you’ll need in later life.
It’s a good idea to find out what is available in your area. This can be done by reading the local newspaper, speaking with other families, or searching the internet. Once you have a good idea of what is offered, it’s time to decide how much time you’ll dedicate to each activity. Some clubs and activities will be held bi-weekly, while others will meet more frequently. Also, you’ll need to determine how many hours you’ll need for homework and other studying.
One of the best extracurricular activities is performing in a musical or play. Many schools will have a drama club that puts on a play or musical every fall. Others will have choir or band, which are popular electives. You can even participate in a community youth orchestra or join other music groups.
Another fun and useful extracurricular is taking part in an award-winning program. Schools often have honor societies that require community service. Students in all grades can meet monthly to discuss books they’ve chosen as a group.
Other activities that are considered to be of similar significance are the learning challenge, which involves answering a series of questions to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses. Those activities may be related to your favorite class subject or the fun maths problem solving society, which organizes a series of problem-solving sessions.
Extracurriculars are a great way to show your school and college that you’re dedicated and a real person. It’s a chance to develop leadership, communication, and other social skills. The quality of your extracurriculars is more important than the amount of time spent on them.
Although there’s no exact formula to finding the perfect extracurriculars for your teen, the above tips will be helpful. Finding out what is available at your school is easy. Just ask your teacher or look in the local paper for more information. After all, you don’t want to force your kid to participate in something that isn’t fun.
