In order to get the most out of your high school years, it's important to participate in extracurricular activities. These activities can help you explore your interests and talents, and they can also look great on your college applications. There are many different extracurricular clubs and activities that you can join, but not all of them are equal. In this blog post, we will discuss the best high school extra curricular activities, why you should consider joining them and more!
An Overview of What Counts as an Extracurricular Activity
Extracurricular activities are anything that you do outside of the classroom that is not related to your academics. This can include sports, clubs, volunteer work, internships and more. Many high school students participate in extracurricular activities because they enjoy them, but they can also be a great way to stand out on your college applications (which we'll get more into later).
How to Get the Most of Your Extracurricular Activities in High School
In high school, your goal with after school activities should be to help you enhance your skills and make your college applications stand out from the crowd. Let's talk about what colleges look for in your extracurricular activities.
Colleges are looking for a few things when they review your extracurriculars. They want to see that you have:
- leadership skills
- time management skills
- ability to work well with others
- commitment
- passion
Let's talk about each of these briefly. Leadership skills can be gained by holding a position in a club or being captain of a sports team. Time management skills are important because they show that you can juggle multiple commitments and still perform well academically. The ability to work well with others is important because it shows that you can cooperate and collaborate - two key skills in any workplace. Commitment is vital because it shows that you are willing to stick with something, even when it gets tough. Finally, passion is a MUST because it shows that you are genuinely interested in and excited about what you are doing. If you can demonstrate all of these qualities while participating in one of the best high school extra curricular activities, you will be well on your way to impressing colleges and landing a great job after graduation.
What are the Best High School Extracurricular Activities?
There are so many options and it can be overwhelming, but here are some of our top picks that colleges love to see!
- Student Government: This is a great way to develop leadership skills and learn how to work with others. Plus, it looks great on college applications!
- Academic Clubs: These clubs are a great way to develop your passions and interests outside of the classroom. They also look great on college applications!
- Community Service: Not only is this a great way to give back to your community, but it also shows colleges that you are a well-rounded individual.
- Art Clubs: These clubs are a great way to express your creativity and explore different mediums. They also look great on college applications!
- Debate Club: This club is a great way to develop critical thinking and public speaking skills. It also looks great on college applications!
- Foreign Language Clubs: These clubs are a great way to learn about other cultures and explore new languages.
- Sports: Although you may not be the best player on the team, participating in sports is a great way to stay active and healthy. It also shows colleges that you are a well-rounded individual.
If I'm Bad at Sports in High School, What Should I Do?
Not everyone is a born athlete, so don't stress if you're not great at your chosen sport immediately. It takes time, practice, and dedication. If you think you are bad at sports, but do genuinely enjoy them, there are a few things you could do to enhance your skill so that you can remain on the team for those college apps!
- Practice: This one is a no-brainer. The more you play, the better you will get.
- Get fit: Have you been lifting weights to improve your stamina and strength? If not, that may be something to consider!
- Talk to your coach: They are there for a reason! If you are having difficulties with a certain skill or just want some extra help, ask your coach. They would be more than happy to give you some tips.
- Try a new sport: Maybe the one you chose just isn't for you. If your notorious for tripping over your feet, maybe track or soccer isn't your best option. However, if your hand-eye coordination is fantastic, consider football or even shot-put!
Now, the flip side o this coin. If you feel your bad at sports and you don't want to participate in them, that's okay too! You do not need sports for your college applications. They are not the b all-end all. Some of the best high school extra curricular activities are not sports at all! You can join clubs run by the school, or even just partake in after school activities that will look good on applications. They count!
How Bad is it if I Don't Join Clubs or Sports in High School?
If you don't join any kind of extracurricular in high school, it's not the end of the world. You can still get into college. However, it will look better on your applications if you have at least one or two things that show you're involved in something outside of school. It shows that you're a well-rounded person, and that you can handle commitments.
Some colleges may even have programs for students who didn't do any extracurricular activities in high school. They understand that not everyone is the same, and that some people may have had other commitments that prevented them from participating. However, if you can, it's always best to try and get involved in something.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, the best high school extracurricular activities are the ones your just love to be involved in! You never have to overwork yourself with after school programs to get into college, but being involved has so many benefits! It helps you get into a good school, make new friends, and just stay active. Try any of the ones on our list and be sure to also check out the resources below for further guide!
Take a look at these additional resources:
