The Effects of Extracurricular Activities Allison Kilburg Clarke University Author Note This paper was prepared for Cornerstone II taught by Professor Joe Klinebriel. Abstract Benefits are reaped when students participate in extracurricular activities. There are many opportunities for these activities to take place in school, in the community, and even the state. Studies have shown that those involved in such activities do better academically, have better attendance rates, and have better communication and collaboration skills. Students also benefit from interacting with peers and adults creating better social skills, leadership roles, and teamwork. Though there are some drawbacks to being too involved in these extracurricular activities, the positives outweigh them. The push for children at young ages to become involved in extracurricular activities is on a rise. In 2006, more than half of American teenagers participated in some sort of activity outside of school (Wilson). Many studies show how being involved or not being involved in extracurricular activities could affect children’s future and whether or not they will succeed. There are many benefits that come with being involved, but there are some drawbacks as well. However, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, because students involved in extracurricular activities benefit by having higher grades, higher attendance rate at school, more school engagement, and are more likely to succeed.
Extracurriculars are there for students to enjoy activities other than their academics, but it is also a way to shows that they can focus on education and outside life at the same time. Some students do not take school seriously enough. Coming to school might just be a way for athletes to participate in the sport they want to. Not every students has exceeding academic skills, however, anyone can succeed if they just try. Being able to multitask will behoove the students in the future. Undergraduates tend to separate their school and outside life. Older adults do this as well; but instead of school, it is work they have to worry about. During exam week, students will want to study and it will take away their eating and sleeping time. Eating and studying is a vigorous way to
A study published in 2007 focused on “high poverty high schools,” where at least half the students were on free or reduced lunch, it showed that the students that did not participate in extracurricular activities graduated from high school 69 percent of the time while students who did participate in extracurricular activities graduated 82.7 percent of the time (“Extracurriculars Boost High School Graduation Rates”). Furthermore students who participate in sports or extracurricular activities compared to those who do not participate or who have not been involved in extracurricular activities show; higher grades and attainment, improved personal confidence and self esteem, greater connections with school, attachments and support from adults,
When most people think of band, football, photography, and chess club they do not believe that these programs will teach more than how to throw a ball or how to play B flat on an instrument, but that is untrue. There have been many studies done on the effectiveness extracurricular activities (ECAs) have on students, and how these activities produce miraculous outcomes and can be the foundation for the academic excellence of a student. Taxes are so high in our country, and many schools have cut after school programs because of budget expenses, which students will benefit immensely from ECAs throughout their lives because it raises the graduation rate, broadens student’s
Participation can make someone feel more fulfilled in life and can increase their self-esteem by making them feel more capable in the act of doing (Law, 2002, p. 640). In general, participation in extracurricular activities outside of work or school increases quality of life for both children and adults. When children participate in sports or clubs, their risk of smoking, low self-esteem and having difficulty making friends decreases. Adults that volunteer or participate in recreational activities are proven by research to live longer and have higher quality of life. (Law, 2002, p. 641) Speaking from experience, as a freshman in college during my undergrad, all I did was study – I didn’t attempt to make friends or participate in any organizations. As one can image, I can’t say I was experiencing a high quality of life because I needed to be engaging in activities with
If a researcher wants to determine if a student who participated in extra-curricular activities in high school will have higher grades in college than a student who didn’t, they could see the cause and effect that extra-curricular activities has on a student’s college studies.
With a regular schedule for all these students, everyone is expected to simply do the work at home, and come back to school to turn it in and receive more and do the same process over and over. But when there are other activities a child can be involved in, it makes routines have a slight change. Especially if these certain “activities” are being a requirement and not just an option because there are always students who never try new activities and miss out on opportunities. Therefore, students should be offered extracurricular activities in their schools because it gains skills and builds pride to be successful academically in Anaheim. In the documentary, “Mad Hot Ballroom” the director, Marilyn Agrelo, states that “the kids that are
Since Early College High School was founded in the year 2006, the school and its students have always been at disadvantage. The school has lacked several opportunities such sports, scholarship opportunities, etc. However, a topic that has been the spotlight of discussion amongst students over the course of eleven years has been the lack of extracurricular activities. This problem does not only affect students, but it rather affects faculty members as well. Although there has been a slow but gradual increase in solving this problem, this change has come forth at a lengthy rate. It has been 11 years since change has been prompted, and although the current students are benefiting from this change, there have been several generations of
Extracurricular activities are considered an important part of school life at OSHS because of the positive qualities gained from
Extra Curricular Activities help our students threw out all the schools by giving thema academical change or just change who they are a person if they have behavior problems they could use those classes could give them that drive to be a nicer person and have that skill of leadership that is needed in young kids like one little girl said in the document “My dream is to
Lastly, extracurricular activities improve the social and mental health of students. Through these after-school endeavors, students are able to make friends with people who share interests and find the same hobbies interesting, and often, these friendships are the most long-lasting. These friendships are not only beneficial to a students’ social well-being, but also to their mental health. In addition, kids not in safe environments at home are provided by a safe environment at school for after-school activities. For example, if
Holland, A., & Andre, T. (1987). Participation in extracurricular activities in secondary school: What is known, what needs to be know? Review of Educational Research, 57(4), 437-466. Holloway, J. H. (1999/2000). Extracurricular activities: The path to academic success? Educational Leadership, 57(4).
American high school is also pay particular attention to extracurricular activities; such as school club and sport teams; and also attending all kinds of competition. These can exercise student’s ability to organize, ability to create and leadership ability. In a same time, and
The recent Great Recession has caused many lower and middle income families to have problems with their children graduating and having academic achievement. More funding is going towards academic achievement in lower income schools rather than dividing it up among extracurricular activities like clubs, art programs, and all athletic programs. With more and more pressure going towards test scores and graduation rates, athletic funding is dwindling at rates higher than ever seen before as the funding is going towards improvement in the classroom (“Elliot”). Extracurriculars are beneficial to the student as they keep them out of trouble and students are able to form new friendships while demonstrating their passion or ability (“Smith”).
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.
Kikimo Fujita “The Effects of Extracurricular Activities on the Academic Performance of Junior High School Students”