It is that time of year again; the hustle and bustle of a typical school day is in full swing. With most schools having begun classes over the past month, students have now figured out their schedules, classrooms, and have built relationships with their peers. It is also the time when students are beginning to decide which sports and other extra-curricular organizations they wish to join. Participation in such clubs is an integral part of a well-rounded US Boy. Here at US, we are privileged to have numerous student- and school-run organizations that appeal to a variety of student tastes. This makes it easier for boys to not only easily fill the graduation requirement, but also to find their passions and interests, which will serve them well in the long run. By now, students might believe they know what their interests are, but that certainly does not mean that their curiosity for new opportunities will diminish. School involvement in engaging students in extra-curricular activities is key, as it allows for students to both find their passion, but also contributes positively to their academic studies.
The facts support the theory. In a recent study from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, researchers studied the association between participation in school-based extra-curricular activities and adolescent adjustment in all aspects. The results were unambiguous: “A comprehensive, inclusive and developmental model for school counseling may help to remove barriers to student success. This model fosters the development of student competency in broad areas of lifelong learning, personal effectiveness, and life roles.” The study is no outlier. Other researchers have investigated the effects of participation in extra-curricular activities on outcomes throughout students’ lives. The conclusion was yet again clear, as students who participated in a broad array of extra-curricular activities reported greater enjoyment of school, higher grade-point average, greater likelihood of attending college, and finding a full-time job. The effects even extended into non-academic life, as students who participated in such activities also reported much lower usage rates of alcohol and other drugs throughout their lifetime.The positive effects of participation in extra-curricular activities are astounding, and encouragement of participation must be integrated in schools around the globe.
All this data has meaning to our own community. While the benefits of extra-curricular activities are clear, and while US has so many, what still remains an obstacle to fully recognizing these organizations’ benefits is the lack of advertisement for them. It remains vital that the school administration take all possible initiatives to do so. The school should take action to create programs that allow students to actively engage with the organizations’ members and leaders. This would permit interested students to get a taste of what to expect should they choose to join. Many colleges provide terrific examples of how this can be done. At Case Western Reserve University, amidst their influx of incoming freshmen scrambling to understand their schedules, all the associations and organizations held an event on the engineering quad similar to a fair. This was beneficial, as it allowed for students to both engage in their academic studies as well as their outside activities. A similar event, where students are given free time to talk to each organization’s members and leaders, would serve US well.
In sum, having high participation rates among students can shape their character, and as a result, enhancing our image as a school. This understood, the University School community should encourage extra-curricular participation not just as an addition to curricular work, but as an integral piece of a high school education.