Bored? Looking for a new challenge?
You can watch basketball, baseball, track, gymnastics, tennis,
aerobics, volleyball, and weight lifting on ESPN, or you can get
out and enjoy them by joining your school team. Not into team
sports? There's French club, the debating team, chess club,
student government, radio, newspaper, yearbook, environmental club,
4-H, drama, choir, photography, Students Against Destructive
Decisions, jazz band, Business Professionals of America, computer
club, and more.
So many choices can seem overwhelming, but getting involved in
new activities with new people is a fun way to challenge yourself.
Here are some basics and benefits of getting involved.
Benefits of Extracurricular Activities
So what's in it for you? You get to explore your physical,
creative, social, political, and career interests with like-minded
people. You'll find friends: Trying something different may
bring you in contact with people you didn't know who share your
interests and curiosity.
You can get involved with groups as a way to get support from
other students with your background, such as Latino or Jewish
clubs. A club or group also can be a great way to meet people who
are different from you. Lots of youth programs bring people
together with those who are different as a way to break down the
barriers between people. Mark, a senior who lives in Washington,
DC, discovered this when he volunteered for a group that uses
baseball as a way to bring special-education kids and kids with
disabilities together with regular kids.
Participating in extracurricular activities helps you in other
ways, too: It looks good on college and job applications and shows
admissions officers and employers you're well-rounded and
responsible. Specific activities help with specific goals - if you
want to teach language or get a bilingual job, being the president
of the Spanish club shows the depth of your commitment.
The most basic reason for joining a club or team is that it
gives you something better to do than staring at the wall,
wandering the hall, or napping all afternoon. People who are
involved and engaged are less likely to become addicted to bad
habits, like smoking or drinking.
Finding the Right Activity for You
Review the activities your school offers and listen to other
students' experiences to find an activity that meets your
needs. Think about your interests, abilities, and time - is your
sister tired of playing chess with you? Do you wish you had more
computer time? Are you tired of shooting hoops alone? Are you
looking to meet friends or get support? Do you need to increase the
appeal of your college application? Don't limit yourself to the
familiar - try something new.
Think about different roles within groups that you might want to
try - president, captain, participant, leader, support person. Each
role is important. Being president teaches you leadership and
management skills, but involves more responsibility; being a member
gives you structure and is less stressful. You can also lend your
skills in areas that are needed, such as using your financial
skills to be a group's treasurer.
How to Get Involved
At the beginning of the school year, teachers and principals
often have a list of activities to join or make announcements - for
example, your history teacher may be the debating team advisor.
Look on school bulletin boards and in the school newspaper. Ask
friends what they like. Join right away or wait to see how your
schedule will be and join later.
Ask questions of the activity advisor before you join. Some
things to ask include:
-
Age.
You may have to be a certain age or in a certain grade to join an
activity.
-
Fees.
Do you have to pay to join? How much? Are there fees for
outings, uniforms, costumes, or other expenses? You may be
required to help raise money.
-
Physical.
If you're joining a team, you may need to take a
physical. Talking with your family doctor may help you decide
whether a team is a good choice for you.
-
Grades.
Many groups require a minimum GPA to join.
-
Time.
If you're involved in competitive sports, you need to have
the time to practice and compete. There's also the time it
takes to get ready emotionally for a game, and the time you spend
getting pizza with the team after games. Team members are often
responsible for setting up for a game or helping in other ways.
Clubs can meet as infrequently as once every other week, but some
teams have practice every day after school and meets on the
weekend.
Each school is unique with its own array of offerings, but if
you don't find what you want, try a community center or
volunteer for a local nonprofit organization or business. Also
consider organizations like Youth in Action, a group for teens who
want to participate in service projects.
Too Much of a Good Thing?
It's easy to join one too many exciting activities. Ask as
many questions as possible
before
you join. Sit down with your school schedule, work schedule, and
other activities and try to map out what's realistic. Are you
taking a class this semester that requires extra studying time? Do
you need to focus on grades? Does your bus only come once an hour
by the time practice is over instead of every 15 minutes? Will you
have time to eat, sleep, and relax? Everyone needs downtime. If an
activity adds lots of stress to your life, it's not for
you.
Once you've joined an activity, if you feel stressed out,
reconsider. It's important to keep a balance between
schoolwork, extracurricular activities, a job, social life, and
your health. If you join a club and need to quit for any reason,
talk with the advisor or coach. Be direct and polite and explain
your situation and feelings. Sometimes it's just not the right
match for you or it's too time-consuming. Perhaps you can
participate in a less time-consuming way or rejoin later. You
won't be helping yourself or the group if you frantically do
homework during a competition or fall asleep during practice.
Saying "no" can be the most mature and responsible thing
to do.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: April 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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