Should You Ever Go Extracurricular?
Extracurriculars are important in college. They allow students to explore their interests and passions, and they often help students earn scholarships and financial aid. But many students, especially those with very busy schedules, struggle to manage all of their obligations.
A common assumption is that the more activities you participate in, the more successful you’ll be. But, that’s not always the case. EC experiences — whether they’re sports, clubs, or similar activities — can help you get a head start on college. Whether you participate in one extracurricular activity or several, they can provide you with many opportunities to grow, challenge yourself, and meet new people. But, not all ECs are created equal.
Go Around ECs Carefully
When deciding to join ECs, it’s important to consider how they fit into your academic plans. While they can be fun and a great way to make friends, they can also place undue stress on your schedule, possibly causing you to miss class. So, while extracurriculars can help you explore your interests, you need to carefully weigh the potential downsides before you decide to join.
Whether you’re taking an EC class you really enjoy, like writing, or a certain sport, you should be careful about how much of your time, money, and other resources you can actually give. Some activities, like essay writing, can even be done online if you check out essay pro review – they review essay writing services. With those, you can write your essay with a professional in no time!
Let’s Help You Decide
You probably know the ECs you’d like to take but are not sure if you should. We can’t give you an exact number of classes you should take because that is completely individual. However, we can examine a few factors that will help you decide and choose the right one for you.
Those factors are:
- Price
- Number of regular classes
- Difficulty
Price
EC activities can be enriching, but they can also be expensive. Many colleges charge students to participate in them. The tricky part about extracurriculars is that some are worth more to you than others, like most things in life. Some people love talking about politics, while others can’t stand it. Some like to debate, while others would rather skip it.
If you’re on a tight budget, you might be tempted to skip EC activities in favor of something else. But there’s a problem with this approach: participating in extracurriculars can make you academically smarter, better-rounded, and more employable.
In other words, ECs can equal thousands of dollars in college costs. But does every student really need to be involved? It’s never too early to start saving for college, but are those activities worth saving for? Those are some questions to ponder before taking up more activities.
Number of regular classes
When applying for college, additional obligations are a common part of the admissions process. However, if you’re already taking a lot of classes, extracurriculars might not be the best use of your time. Some colleges don’t count extracurriculars toward the credits required for graduation, so you’re not obligated to take them.
ECs are an important part of your college experience at some schools, including final grading and graduation requirements. If you plan to apply for scholarships, some require a minimum number of credits in extracurricular activities or require all your activities in a particular field, such as science or journalism.
On the other hand, many colleges don’t count extracurriculars toward graduation requirements, and some don’t consider them at all.
Here are some things to consider before applying for ECs:
- Will it add something valuable to the college experience? Choose something that’s interesting to you and that you’ll enjoy doing.
- Will it help you stand out from other applicants? Your activities don’t have to be related to your career. For example, if you’re entering college with a strong interest in writing, you might take up running or join a debate team.
- Will it help you get a job? Some schools tie extracurricular activities to job and internship placement, offering credits toward graduation for a certain number of hours or courses completed in a certain department.
Answering those for yourself is the first step for you – it’ll help you clear your head and choose wisely!
Difficulty
Extracurriculars allow students to challenge themselves academically, and physical activity can be a great stress reliever. But they aren’t for everyone. It’s perfectly fine to decide to opt out. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’ll likely do better to focus on your studies
There’s little sense in pursuing certain ECs. If you’re already working a full course load, you’re not likely to have time for non-credit and downright difficult activities. Other activities have prerequisites, such as having earned a certain level of GPA, that make it difficult to get started.
Here are a few tips when deciding whether or not to take up a difficult activity
- Assess your priorities. A well-rounded student probably has too many passions. But it’s more important to pick activities you find more interesting, and a bit easier.
- Choose something that you’re passionate about. It’s more enjoyable to participate in something you enjoy. If you’re passionate about something that is deemed difficult, be careful when incorporating it with the rest of the schedule.
- Look for the hidden benefits. Some ECs offer a lot of perks that you may not realize. Work-study programs, for example, allow students to earn extra money. In other words, if the activity is difficult but has benefits, again, wisely consider taking it as an EC.
Final Thoughts
Extracurriculars are a fun way to meet new people and try new things. But, once you add in jobs, volunteering and other commitments, it can be hard to keep up with them. But where do you draw the line between enough and too much?
College admissions officers have long valued extracurricular activities and for a good reason. They demonstrate an applicant’s interests, work ethic and record of leadership. But they’re also deemed as too much, uninteresting, or pricey.
The only person that can choose how many and which ones you should take is only you. Carefully answer the question in this article, weigh your options, and count your savings before applying. By doing so, you’ll ensure satisfaction, learning about your passion, and enjoying your college experience.