Requiring Extracurricular Activities for High School Graduation by Lindsey

Requiring Extracurricular Activities for High School Graduation by Lindsey - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

In recent years, there has been much controversy regarding high school students’ participation in extracurricular activities. This has been a decision left up to parents and students themselves. However, I believe it is time to make the transition into requiring students to participate in extracurricular activities in order to graduate high school. By taking this step, students will gain addition social, intellectual, and problem solving skills.

High school is an exciting time for students as they begin their transition from children to young adults. But, not all students find high school fun. Year after year schools have students who are shy, introverted, and like to keep to themselves. High school is a crucial time in development and it is important that children learn to interact with one and other. By requiring extracurricular activities, schools can assist those students who find interaction to be a challenge. This can be done through the incorporation of shared hobbies. Not all extracurricular activities need to be sports or drama club. Schools can create clubs that appeal to even the most introverted of students providing them a safe and comfortable atmosphere to grow in.

By expanding the types of activities provided, students have a chance to indulge themselves in a topic of interest. This can lead to increased intellectual growth as students learn about their hobby and interacting with one and other. For example, Sarah is on the chess team at XYZ High School and competes in countywide competitions. Sarah will learn different strategizing skills from playing the game itself but will also learn how to properly deal with anxiety or nervousness from competing in competitions. In addition, Sarah will learn communication skills from working with her chess mates and interacting with others at competitions.

In any stage of life, a person will come across a problem. It is necessary for individuals to know how to properly go about solving these problems. By requiring high school students to participate in extracurricular activities, schools can better prepare their students for a variety of issues that may arise during their lives. Even if the problem is as simple as working out a car pool situation in order to arrive on time. The student will now have an idea of how to handle similar situations, such as getting to a meeting with no transportation. By providing the additional responsibility for students to participate in activities, the students will encounter problems they otherwise would not.

While some may argue it is a students decision to decide if he or she participates in extracurricular activities, it is also the school boards responsibility to ensure students are well prepared for their next stage of life. By requiring participation in extracurricular activities for high school graduation, schools can better prepare their students for the next stage of life by providing them with the social, intellectual, and problem solving skills necessary to succeed.