On the Outside Course by Gabriella

On the Outside Course by Gabriella - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

Albert Einstein once said “only a life for others is a life worthwhile.” This quote ties perfectly with my belief for extracurricular activity to become a high school graduation requirement. In the classroom, students absorb knowledge which is useful for trivia and grades but not much else. The most effective lesson to be learned in a school is how to thrive in a society. No matter the size of your school’s population, it is a community to which you should have some part of. Escaping home immediately after the dismissal bell creates a possible practice of isolation which may hinder your future.
Whether the activity is a sport or journalism or math club, it is imperative to work with those in your educational community. These types of endeavors promote team work, problem solving skills, and communication on a level not found in a classroom setting. Extracurricular activities encourage you to socialize with your fellow peers and form unbreakable friendships. It also teaches you how to deal with those with whom your personality might clash. In either situation, it is preparing you for your future work field in an incomparable way.
Another major reason for mandatory extracurricular activities is to minimize idle time. As teenagers in New York City there are various paths in the wrong direction. With a busy schedule, the chances of getting involved in such acts are much less likely. By the time a student who left school at 5pm arrives home, there is only enough time to complete homework, eat and prepare for bed. A consistent schedule such as this will prepare students to maintain proper time management skills. In the work field, you must be able to cope with a busy schedule at some points in your career and it may overwhelm you if you are not accustomed to it. Colleges prefer students with extracurricular activities on their application because these students will bring with them an appreciation for the arts, theatre, music, and or sports.
All in all, the high school community flourishes, the college application becomes exceptional and the student becomes an effective member of society. The various life skills mentioned previously are most efficient when taught early in life and high school is the first step into adulthood. We must equip every generation to be the better generation and I believe that required extracurricular activity is the venue to achieve this goal.