Enjoyment in Learning and Progressing by Avery

Enjoyment in Learning and Progressing by Avery - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

They always say don't pick a career if you are not able to find enjoyment in it. When we enjoy what we are doing, we are more likely to succeed. The same goes with school. I do not believe extracurricular activities should be required for graduation. Extracurricular activities are fun, and help in many social aspects, but not for all. There have always been cliques in schools, the popular people, the jocks, the cheerleaders, class clowns, nerds, and the quiet ones. They each have their own personalities and certain things they like. To find enjoyment in their learning I believe they should have the right to choose what they want to pursue without being pressured to find other hobbies. Being forced into an activity may hurt them academically, socially, and mentally.
There are some who, if forced to take an extracurricular activity to graduate, would become stressed, and find it harder to learn in school. Those who take those activities now do so because they find in enjoyable and fun. Say if someone were on the football team, they would do so not only because they love the sport, but they are possibly quite talented at it, and are great at making friends. They do well in school so as to stay in the sport, as well as perform well. While those who are not athletic, smart, artistic, or coordinated, may prefer to work after school, or anything really rather than do something they do not enjoy. They may get caught up in school thinking of how they are going to get through the day, through their activity, while still finding time to get their school work and studying done, rather than being excited for the activity as they should be, if participating. Those involved in extracurricular activities may benefit great academically as well as socially, while others may not.
Although gaining new hobbies and new strengths has many benefits, it pulls some people out of their comfort zones. I had a friend who was an introvert, and very shy. She had problems even leaving her own home to hang out with friends, so we always did movie night at her house. She was very talented, but also concerned about her schooling. She had big plans for herself. She loved writing, and still does, and hopes to have a book published one day. All those times she came home from school, and did her work, then wrote her books, she couldn’t have been happier. She could choose how she pursued her education, and progressed, while being able to keep to herself. I believe if she were required to take and extracurricular activity, she not only wouldn’t have progressed as much as she has now, but she wouldn’t be the person she is today. In school, it didn’t matter how big our friend group was, she was still more comfortable with herself. There are so many out there like her. Not only would they not progress socially, and not because there is anything wrong with them, that is just their personality, they would not be happy. They would have time taken away, doing something they didn’t want to do, from doing things that would make them happy.
We all know those kids who love to do the opposite of what they are told. Some do it to spite others and they enjoy being the rebel, while others may do it subconsciously. Sometimes, when there are more rules, people tend to be less likely to want to follow them, it is human nature. Mankind is used to being free, having our agency. Feeling restricted keeps us from progressing, and sometimes leads to quitting. The more freedom we have, the more we’ll pursue, and accomplish. Of course that doesn’t apply for everyone, but those who are willing to work hard will succeed. There are set requirements for us to succeed, generals, and then optional programs for the enjoyment of those who are interested. We are more able to progress mentally when we are forced to choose what path to take, not given paths to choose from. When one walks down a path given to them, one required to walk down, while the one they wanted didn’t exist, they are going to be stuck, unable to move farther, because there is no passion in what they are pursuing. They are more likely to find enjoyment searching for and finding the path specifically meant for them.
I believe extracurricular activities should not be required to graduate because they are meant to be fun, and that is why people take them. When it becomes a requirement to graduate, some lose that enjoyment, and it then becomes a chore. Not only does it become a chore, but it takes time away from those who have other dreams they would like to pursue, those not offered in those activities. Not only will the freedom of choice bring happiness, but also the opportunity to grow academically, socially, and mentally, in the ways needed for each individual, in their own way