Benefits of Extracurricular Activities on Students
- Updated on 18 Jan 2020
- Creativity
Most parents often ask these questions: Are extracurricular activities really important? Is it central to their education and career? Will it give them gainful knowledge? Depending on who you ask, the answer might differ, however, one thing is clear that extracurricular activities are beneficial for students. There’s more to these activities than meets the eye and no wonder most schools have several extracurricular activities that students love and want to be part of.
While it’s true that better grades are important for a successful career, it’s also important to know that engaging in activities outside the classroom helps students in learning new activities.
It is believed that even top-performing students may not be able to meet their full potential without the opportunity to add and diversify their interests and skills with the help of extracurricular activities. In many ways, extracurricular activities play an important part in shaping up the personality of children along with lighting up their fun moments.
When students take part in events and activities outside the classroom, they are making new friends, developing new interests, improving their skills, and finetuning their intellectual growth This blog will list some of the essential extracurricular activities that will inculcate healthy habits in children.
Here’s a breakdown of how extracurricular activities can help students grow in life.
1. Academic Performance
Some parents and students believe that by taking part in extracurricular activities, they may lose out on time from their schoolwork, thereby losing out on grades. However, you must know that it’s just the opposite. Taking part in extracurricular activities can help in improving the overall grades. It’s believed and has also been proven that by participating in activities that they like, students can improve their brain function. Sports with high endurance such as athletics, football, swimming, and badminton will help you to build stamina and will give you an edge when it comes to writing exams.
Several studies have shown the relationship between extracurricular activities and academic performance. According to these studies, students that participated in these activities have higher activities, positive attitude toward themselves, others, and their schools, and higher academic goals.
2. Professional Skills
All of these non-academic activities can help students to gain the professional edge they normally cannot find in the classroom. For example, if you are part of the science club in the school, you might get to work on some exciting science projects. Another example you could take if you are part of the social service team, you’ll be able to work on social responsibility projects which will enhance your management skills. The third example you can think of is the sports club, which will help you improve your team-building skills and in looking at long-term goals.
To put it in simple words, extracurricular activities can give you skills that will make your future-ready.
3. Social Circle
One advantage of having extracurricular activities is that you’ll be networking with a lot of other students with similar passion and thinking as you. One thing you must remember is that these activities not just impart professionals skills but also complement education. These activities enable students of different classes and sometimes different institutes to talk to each other.
4. Time Management
Let’s admit it. Schooltime is always hectic and students hardly get any time to do any other activities. However, once they are part of extracurricular activities, they will find the time or try to get time from their busy academic schedule to follow their passion. In the long run, this helps them to manage time when they become working professionals. Another benefit of these activities is it helps them to stay fit and active.
5. Explore Interests
As extracurricular activities are always outside of the academic horizon, you’ll be exposed to many activities and if everything goes well, you might pick up one or more activities that interest you and make a passion or career out of it. For example, you decide to become a member of the music club and are dealing with musical instruments. In all probability, you will realize that you had a passion for music.
6. Broader Perspectives
While class education gives you an academic perspective of the world around you, activities expose you to broader perspectives of the world around you. When you have diversified your interests, you start having a broader world view. For example, when you join philosophy club, you will start looking at the world around from a philosophical point of view.
7. Self-Esteem
When you start achieving success through your non-academic activities, your self-esteem improves. For example, when you become successful in chess, which is an extracurricular activity, you see it as a success of your hard work and that will ultimately percolate down to your studies as well.
8. Break From Studies
Studies can get monotonous at times and the only way to break the monotony is to engage in meaningful extracurricular activities. These provide a welcome break from studies and homework. Depending on what activities your child likes to do or is persuing, these can help them destress and relax their mind.
Most western universities prefer students that have spent time doing extracurricular activities. They do this to know you as an individual and want to know your likes and dislikes. The more activities you do, the better are your chances of getting entry into a foreign university. Extracurricular activities show the personal side of the student such as their likes, interests, passions, and more.
This is not likely to be the case with Indian universities as they look mostly at the scores. So if you are keen on studying at a foreign university, then your extracurricular activities count.
Conclusion
While studies are important, non-academic activities are equally important for the healthy development of the students. There’s no one-strategy-fits-all strategy at work here. Every parent and student has a different take on the importance of activities in their life. However, what’s important is to find activities you enjoy and help you learn and grow.
At Orchids The International School, our focus is on developing students that are good in both sports and activities. All our branches are completely equipped to offer sports, music, and other non-academic activities. With this, we maximize your passion. We believe that the lesson you’ll learn from participating in extracurricular activities will help you with getting a job or just living your life to the maximum.
