The Importance Of Extracurricular Activities

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,

Through extracurricular activities, students have opportunities to learn things outside the classroom in a hands-on experience. Being involved in these activities enhances intrinsic motivation

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

Jan Kievlen, Positive Climates for Learning Specialists at the York Region District School Board stated that, ""When parents remember why they are enrolling their child into a sport, it helps them to keep the focus on the development of the character rather than just ‘winning’. It also is important to keep the sport ‘fun’” (tvoparents.tvo.org, 2011). One may believe children play sports just to have fun in their free time, but it also has a positive impact on them. ““Children’s participation in organized extracurricular activities has been associated with positive short-and-long-terms outcomes”” (Guèvremont, 2011). Therefore, extra-curricular activities should be mandatory in a student’s life because it helps them gain new skills, exercise and is a stress reliever.

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).

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.

Many schools have begun to force their students to participate in two or more after school clubs. However, demanding students to join an extracurricular club should not be allowed as it goes against the ideals that extracurriculars hold. After all, school clubs are meant to be a fun, stress free way of meeting new people and bettering one’s self, but when schools force students to join them, they just become more school. Students shouldn’t be forced to join after school clubs

Throughout a students years of highschool the most unforgettable class memories emanate from extra-curricular activities taken throughout their four years. Each activity offered by a Highschool can have different effect on their students, but the one that typically has the most renowned effect is sports. High School Athletics help prepare young adults for their future in the outside world, which benefits the majority. The preparation given to these students help develop positive characteristics, reach new levels of academics, and increase mental acuity.

Extracurricular activities have been around and impacted several lives for many years. An activity allows people to express who they are and what they believe is right. "Fifty-seven percent of children between 6 and 17 years old participate in at least one after-school extra-curricular activity, according to a new report released today from the U.S. Census Bureau" (Bureau). Extracurricular activities are seen as a way to enhance learning, socialize with their peers, busy work, or to keep someone from getting in trouble. Although to some people it appears that extracurricular activities have several negative consequences, there are various positive benefits to mental, emotional, social, and physical health.

So why are extracurricular activities important? Extracurricular activities shape how a person acts within him or herself, in the community, and their performance in school. Schools should highly encourage every student to be in some type of activity (Hollrah).

Kikimo Fujita “The Effects of Extracurricular Activities on the Academic Performance of Junior High School Students”

Athletics play a huge role in education at both the high school and college level. However, there has emerged two popular theories; the academic and the developmental, about athletics/extracurricular activities that researchers hold. The academic perspective sees athletics/extracurricular activities as something to do for fun, to relax, but not important in the purpose of schools and can even be detrimental. The development perspective on the other hand views athletics/extracurricular activities as important as academics in the development of the individual (Holland & Andre, 1987).

Athletics have become an increasingly important social context of adolescence and growing up. Many children are introduced to recreation athletics at a young age and thus learn both physical competence, and social skills while also having fun (Weiss, 2000). It is often the case that once individuals graduate from high school they cease their athletic career in exchange for greater focus on academics. If being part of a collegiate team actually helps an individual develop, would that encourage more athletes to continue their career? In Foubert and Grainger’s (2006) study, it was reported that students who participate in extra-curricular activities exhibit increased levels of acceptance and tolerance towards their peers. Another study by

According to the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS), students who became involved in sports or extracurricular activities promote lifelong lessons in teamwork, self-discipline; facilitate the emotional development of the youths. The National Federation of State High School uses several sources to support their claim that students who participate in activity programmes have better academic averages, better attendance records, a lower dropout rate and fewer discipline problems (NFHS, 2002, p.2).