A World of Opportunities:Not by Force by Elizabeth

A World of Opportunities:Not by Force by Elizabeth - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

In a world filled with endless opportunities and options, it is easy for people to join different groups that interest them, specifically extracurricular activities offered by schools. These groups allow peers to interact and share a common interest. In addition, many colleges or careers prefer students who participated in extracurricular activities and those with leadership positions. However, not every student participates in extracurricular activities due to a lack of common interest, little free time, or other obligations towards family and work. Therefore, I do not believe high schools should require students to participate in extracurricular activities in order to graduate.
While each person has different interests of a varying degree, it is impossible to schools to match the interests of each individual. Schools then choose extracurricular activities that adhere to the popular vote or that a teacher agrees to sponsor. Considering those few students who do not match interests with any of the groups, students should not be forced to pick an interest that does not interest them. This would be wasting their time, would not encourage them, and take away from their time to participate in something of their own interest.
Many students in school do not have much free time to spare for extracurricular activities. Those taking advanced placement or dual credit classes must meet higher standards of education that take more time than normal classes. By forcing students to participate in extracurricular activities, the school district would be cutting down the time students could use to prepare and study for classes. This in turn, would reflect in their grades. A decrease of time for studying, means a decrease in grades.
Lastly, not every student has the free time to put into extracurricular activities. Students of different cultures and through differing parental expectations may have obligations towards their family or work rather than extracurricular activities. Families who desire to have their kids work or help out around the household do not have the time for extracurricular activities, and it is not up to the school to decide which is more important.
While participating in extracurricular activities may influence college acceptances and scholarships, it should not be required for graduation in high school. High school is for learning and not pushing students to exceed their limit of possibilities, interfere with familial obligations or force students to participate in groups that are not for them.