Getting involved has so many benefits. Your four years of high school is a time to explore your interests and skills through academic courses while getting involved in sports, clubs and extracurricular activities.
Here’s something else you should know – not only can getting involved be fun, but it also plays an important role when applying to colleges. You’ll find when you start applying to colleges that most applications ask about your activities. Why? Test scores and grades can’t reveal as much about you as the things you do. Taking part in activities can show colleges your leadership skills, time management skills and responsibility – just to name a few.
Don’t like sports?
That’s okay.
There are a number of activities both in and out of school that can show colleges your accomplishments and redeeming qualities. Do you like to write? Maybe the school newspaper is for you. If not, here are a few other places to start:
- Volunteer
- Get a job
- Community Activities
Colleges want to know who you are and what you can do. So, get out there and take advantage of opportunities!
Are you still not convinced?
Here is a list of some of the important reasons you should try new things:
- Meet new people – Whether it be in a sport or organization, you have a chance to meet new people with a common interest but from various cultures and with different perspectives.
- Develop stronger personal skills – A person typically changes and grows with each new experience. Getting involved allows you the opportunity to take on a leadership role or strategies when working as a team.
- Build your resume – Your resume should constantly be changing based on the things you do and opportunities that come your way. Getting involved in activities and organizations and having a diverse resume can help colleges and future employees see what you’ve experienced and what makes you, YOU.
- Learn new things – Getting involved outside of the classroom helps you learn and experience new things.
Getting involved not only allows you to get the most out of high school both in and outside of the classroom, but you may also find your true passion and career path!