Extra is Indeed Excellent by Emma

Extra is Indeed Excellent by Emma - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

Extracurricular activities have been a major part of school’s educational standards for decades. They are of extreme importance to students and faculty alike, and have always been a major turning point for children as they grow and learn. I believe that extracurricular activities should remain a part of the school system because they allow students to discover new interests and opportunities, grow as a member of the community and student body, and are pivotal in playing a part in a child’s future.
The first point made is that extracurricular activities allow students to discover new interests and opportunities. Having a wide range of subjects and activities for students to participate in after school allows them to broaden their expanse of knowledge in different ways; it gives them a special opportunity to discover what they may or may not like. For example, a student may show interest in joining a basketball club, but later decides it’s not for them. They could turn to other sports-related clubs and feel that baseball or tennis is more suited to their tastes. Perhaps they prefer something less athletic; groups based on mathematics, English, foreign languages, and even create mock debates inspired by the United Nations exist for that purpose. All of these and more are fantastic ways for a student to discover more about who they are as a person and what they might be interested in.
Another reason extracurricular activities should remain is because they help students grow as a member of the community and student body. There are a multitude of clubs that assist the school with fundraisers and volunteer work around the campus, a fact which is a requirement in most clubs that are run. Some groups that are based around the community that may not be a part of schools, like the YouLead Youth Leadership Program, for example, are created for the sole purpose of giving back to the community. In terms of growth in the student body, by joining a club or group that shares similar interests to a student it presents them an opportunity to befriend people who are interested in the same things they are. They don’t have to ask to know these children not only enjoy this activity, but want to discuss it and participate in it alongside them. There are fewer barriers to break down socially, and it becomes near impossible to not meet new people, and make new friends.
The final point made is that extracurricular activities are pivotal in playing a part in a child’s future. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “Students who participated [in extracurricular activities] were three times as likely to perform in the top quartile on a composite math and reading assessment, compared with nonparticipants”. Students are also expected to pursue a higher education, with two-thirds of students looking to receive a bachelor’s degree while those who do not participate in activities do not. Students that are a part of extracurricular activities are less likely to cause trouble or perform poorly in classes, as well. This can spell a bright future or dark demise for a single student, all because they decided to spend a few hours after school doing something they loved, or not.
These are the reasons why extracurricular activities should remain in the school system. They allow students to discover new interests and opportunities, grow as a member of the community and student body, and are pivotal in playing a part in a child’s future. There are few clubs that do anything but help a student become a better person, and I firmly believe these reasons prove that fact. Extracurricular activities are a fantastic addition to the school system, and I can hardly imagine going through a school career without them. That is why they should remain in the school system.