One Size Does Not Fit All by Mikayla

One Size Does Not Fit All by Mikayla - October 2015 Scholarship Essay

Extracurricular activities play an important role in many students' lives. For many students, participation in a sport, club, or other activity provides a sense of purpose, a sense of enjoyment, or perhaps something to take their minds off the stress of school from time to time. However, some students derive a sense of purpose and enjoyment from other things, such as academic success, volunteerism, or musical activities not sponsored by a school. Because each student fulfills his goals and purposes and uses his time and talents in a different way, no student should be penalized for a lack of interest in extracurricular activities. Therefore, extracurricular activities should not be a requirement for high school graduation.

Many high school students devote a large portion of their lives to extracurricular activities. Some students spend every night on a basketball court or a football field, practicing relentlessly for upcoming games. Some devote their time to debate teams and spend their days practicing their speeches and traveling to various debates. Others join honors clubs or academic teams in which they can exercise their thinking skills, put their knowledge to use, and cooperate with other academically successful students.

On the other hand, some high school students prefer to spend their free time in other ways. Some choose to commit most of their free time to studying in order to achieve the highest possible level of academic success, to get the most out of their high school education, and to prepare for college. Some spend their free time developing their musical talents by practicing instruments or vocal exercises. Others choose to do a great deal of volunteer work, including tutoring younger students in their neighborhoods, serving in church mission projects, working at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter, or raising money for a cause in which they believe very strongly.

Many people believe that extracurricular activities provide students with skills they need to succeed in life, such as the ability to understand themselves and their talents as well as the ability to cooperate with others. However, students do not have to participate in extracurricular activities to be well-rounded individuals. Students who participate in extracurricular activities often do so to bring purpose, meaning, and enjoyment to their lives. But even though some students choose not to participate in extracurricular activities, these students still find themselves, their purpose, and their talents by other means. Students who participate in extracurricular activities, such as clubs and team sports, are often students who like to socialize with other students like themselves. Students who spend their free time doing activities outside of school, such as music lessons, volunteerism, or additional studying, are often students who do not mind working alone and who prefer to do things independently. Every student is different, and every student enjoys different things. One size does not fit all. A student should never be penalized for his personality (introvert/extrovert) or his interests (or lack thereof). As a result, students who do not wish to participate in extracurricular activities but maintain a solid academic record should be able to graduate high school just like their peers who enjoy and participate in extracurricular activities. Each student should be valued for the things he or she accomplishes, whether these accomplishments are achieved in school-sponsored extracurricular activities or in independent activities.