Welcome back everyone!
It’s around that time where you will be signing up for new activities such as clubs, sports, and more; it’s important to do so and take advantage of these opportunities. If you’re a freshman just beginning your high school career, even better! I wish I had stepped out of my comfort zone more as a freshman and signed up for more activities that I was interested in. I was somewhat involved in my school last year as a member of the cheer team, CSF, and Key Club, but there were quite a few more clubs and activities that I was too scared to actually join.
Beyond having something to put on your resume or college application, joining school activities can enhance your overall high school experience. It makes you feel more significant as a part of the community, it keeps you busy (but in a fun way, unlike homework!), and introduces you to lots of new people. I know it can be daunting to go to a club meeting or something of the sort by yourself and not knowing how it will go, but it’s so worth it to try out some new things and see if you end up liking them. It’s better to give it a try now and determine if you like it or not than regret never doing it later; plus, it’s better to do things while you’re young and still have so many options available to you!
Encourage your friends that aren’t already involved in activities to go to a club rush or a similar event with you, and you can sign up for one or two things together. It might be easier to jump into something new if there’s a friend by your side. Furthermore, if you have friends that are involved in certain activities or clubs and really like it, ask them if you can tag along to a meeting and possibly join the activity. You’ll have a veteran to show you the ropes and give you an idea of what it’s really like to be a member.
I think if you’re an involved student at your high school, you’ll feel much more comfortable throughout the years you spend there. You’ll get used to spending a lot of time on campus, you’ll get to know the faculty better, you’ll meet more people than you would just from your classes, and you’ll find your own mini community within the school. This is so important, especially if you go to a big (and fairly competitive) public school like me where it’s easy to feel insignificant and disposable. Taking part in a club or activity you love gives you a little extra purpose than just suffering through the same homework as everyone else.
Lastly, it prepares you for adult life. You gain certain work skills through doing these sorts of things outside of the classroom; your communication skills will improve, along with dealing with people/collaboration skills and possibly leadership skills or even public speaking skills. There’s so much to gain from getting involved in different activities, and it will overall prepare you for college and eventually having a job in ways that a standard academic class may not.
I hope this gave you a better understanding of why you should get involved in activities at your school. It’s something I’m still working on too since I can be very shy and afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone; I’m a little late to the party with joining clubs and such, but you don’t have to be! I’m always here to answer questions and take requests for future content. Let me know if there’s any super cool or unique extracurricular activities you do- I would love to know.
-Brooke
adventures of a typical high school student 