Extracurricular Activities Essay

Music is one of the most ancient forms of art, as well as one of the most beneficial activities for the brain. Musicians, for example, have a stronger hippocampus, which is part of the brain involved in learning and memory. Neurogenesis, the process that is critical for learning and memory in the hippocampus is brought about through musical practice (What Happens). Musical practice on the piano is also associated with positively affecting the brain. One study conduct demonstrated through a special MRI that measures white matter in the brain, that regular piano players had a higher myelin levels than non-piano players (What Happens). This contributes to faster, and quicker nerve impulses, which then strengthens the brain. Not only does playing contribute to performing better cognitively, it over takes one's body. Musicians know when, “Each note rubs the others just right, and the instrument shivers with delight. The feeling is unmistakable, intoxicating” (Popova). The feeling

It’s a proven fact: music strengthens the brain. The most beneficial type of music to the brain is instrumental, specifically playing an instrument. Playing an instrument involves all parts of the brain. ‘“There’s some good neuroscience research that

As I worked my way through middle school, I would have never imagined that I would be as involved as I am today. From academic clubs like Science Olympiad and Robotics to service clubs like National Honor Society, Student Council and Key Club, my involvement in extracurriculars has been a positive challenge in a variety of ways. Key club in particular has pushed me to improve my community, expand my social life and prepare me for my future after high school.

One of my most enjoyed extracurricular activities is National Honor Society because it allows me to engage with the community around my school. It also gives me the opportunity to work with people from other grade levels by having projects that require the input of all the members. Usually the meetings are two every month but on special events like the special olympics or winter formal it can change up to 4 every month. One of the events that the group did this year was preparing banners for the special olympics. This small project allowed me to learn more about the special ed group that is on our campus and how there needs to be more effort to integrate them in our school community. This year I had the opportunity to work at my school's thanksgiving

Some of the extra-curricular activities I am involved in include Science National Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Amnesty International. These three particular activities are helping me shape the person I am today. The amount of work one has to put into these activities reflects the amount of work I will one day put into my future studies and work. In these extra-curricular activities I am expected to participate with my community outside of school. This has and will continue to help me be more social with others, be comfortable working in teams, improve my grades, and be informed about certain happenings.

Extracurricular activities are something I participate in like my favorite wrestling. I have many things that I love

Aheadi, Dixon, and Glover were able to identify the benefits of musical training in a study involving the Mozart effect. Aheadi et al. state that, “Evidence suggests musical training can lead to long term enhancement of intelligence” (Aheadi, Dixon, and Glover, 2009, pg. 1). The results in this study showed that musicians had a higher overall performance compared to non-musicians. In a 1998, study completed by Overy, they were able to show that musical training tends to lead to increased intellectual abilities. They extrapolated that musical training improves cognitive functioning in attention, coordination, language, and concentration (Overy,

Playing an instrument stimulates the brain. Researchers from the University of Vermont discovered that musical training in the early stages can help kids focus their attention, control their emotions and can reduce their anxiety by strengthening the gray matter of the cortex. Not only that but it can also expand the one's creativity and make them more active, enhance coordination, improve reading and comprehension skills, enhance the capacity of memory, and boosts listening skills.

The combination of academics, athletic activities, and extracurricular activities has played an enormous role on my own highschool experience. Now, I cannot say it was all butterlies and rainbows, but also seemed to torment my everyday life.

Throughout my time in high school, I have been involved in numerous extracurricular activities. I have been involved in band, choir, golf, speech, theater, Student Council, quiz bowl, and National Honor Society. Though my participation in all of these, I have learned where my skills and interests are strongest.

This article focuses specifically on adolescents, it theorizes the effect of musical instrument training in childhood and what kind of effect it has on children growing up and after they have grown up. More of a research study; this article concluded that children who received at least three years of instrumental music training were able to better

Playing an instrument engages both the left and the right brain, builds and strengthens connections between brain cells, and basically makes the brain work harder (Wilcox 2012). Students who play an instrument have higher SAT scores. Research has shown that students in music programs score 63 points higher on the verbal and 44 points higher on the math sections of the SATs than students who do not participate in music programs (Johnson 2006, Catterall UCLA 2006, The College Entrace Examination Board). The most remarkable test score improvements are found in the lower socio-economic groups of kids (Catterall 2012). Research studies in 2005 (Columbia University, Bastian) and 2007 (Barry, Cutietta) both showed improved academic performance, higher IQs, and better scores on standardized tests in students who play one or more musical instruments (U.S. Department of Education, Catterall 2002, Helmrich 2010). Almost all the past winners of the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science, and Technology for high school students played one or more musical instruments. Data has shown the neurological benefits of musical education in processing foreign languages due to the subject’s brains being able to process sounds, pitches, and frequencies (Northwestern University Auditory Neuroscience 2011). The Neurosciences Institute (Karus

“A study by Virginia Penhune at Concordia University shows that musical training, particularly instrumental training, produces long lasting changes in motor abilities and brain structure. The earlier a child starts instrumental training, the stronger the connection between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. These changes last into adulthood and are proven to affect the ability to listen and communicate as an adult. Nina Krauss, a cognitive neuroscientist at Northwestern University, just released a study that older adults who took music lessons at a young age can process the sounds of speech faster than those who did not, even if they haven’t picked up an instrument in 40 years,” (Music, Art and Language Programs in Schools Have Long-Lasting). Music plays a key role in brain development as well as helping with communication skills and so much more. Music is one of few things that works both hemispheres at the same time. It makes you listen, learn, think, and feel things inexpressible with

Although many, one positive way music education is beneficial to students is that it has a large impact on brain stem growth. With the incorporation of music in a student’s daily life, the brain stem’s responses become more robust (Brown). Therefore, the amount of brain stem growth correlates with recent musical training. As stated by Brown, an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore, “student’s that are involved with a large amount of music will see more gains in brain stem growth”. Furthermore, the neural changes that occur in students as adolescents stay with them into adulthood (“Music Matters”). This allows students to be more prepared once they go into the workforce as adults. Along with the brain stem’s responses being more robust, it’s sensitivity to sound increases (“The Benefits” 1). This is abundantly evident from early on, as mother’s sing to their infants to facilitate brain stimulation and development. Enrichment through music, starting at a young age, seems to improve individuals speech sound development and use of more advanced vocabulary. Adolescents’ language also improves with the use of music in a student’s academics (Miller 46). Luehrisen

It is important for adolescents to participate in extracurricular activities. Student who participate in these activities improve their academic scores and social life. Extracurricular activities can also help reduce many peer pressure related problems. “They enrich the lives of the students, their families and our communities. These activities create well rounded children who learn what their interests and talents are because they have been exposed to such opportunities” (Extracurricular Activities, Blogadmin). For most adolescents extracurricular activities should be required among what they do outside of school.