As of right now, the Census Bureau states only six out of 10 high school students are participating in one or more extracurricular activities. Students need to take part in more activities outside of school to better their performance in school and raise their social health.

According to Crimson Education, many studies conducted on the relationship between extracurricular activities and academic performance “show that students who participate in them have higher grades, more positive attitudes toward school and higher academic aspirations.” This shows scholars are at a greater benefit from doing something they enjoy outside of school and need to make joining an activity a high priority.

Not only does it boost students’ test scores, but it also helps them handle different social interactions better. According to Nord Anglia Education, a group of international schools in 30 countries, “extracurricular activities instill key skills and personality traits that can be helpful in other walks of life.” The article also argues “sports are key to developing teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills.” This gives alternative benefits of doing something an individual enjoys. When joining a club, a student gets to constantly build on their social skills and gets more opportunities.

There are many chances students can take advantage of while playing sports or participating in non athletic activities. For example, they could get internships or scholarships to certain colleges for their skills. Word Education Services says “extracurricular activities help students expand their networks, which is beneficial for finding career opportunities after graduation.” Many extracurricular activities already give students chances to experience working in the real world or do their activity at a high level of play.

On top of all the future benefits and academic performance in high school, playing a sport or getting involved in clubs can make students friends and expand their social group. This could help better their overall mental health and prepare them for situations to come. It could give them a sense of happiness to be around new people they enjoy spending time with. This would put students in more positive moods and give them a new, more friendly way to look at things.

Many people think of sports and school clubs when the term extracurricular activities is brought up. This is not always the case. A volunteer center or a part-time job also falls into this category. According to the College Board, “work, whether a part-time job or an internship, gets the message out to colleges that you have job dedication and can handle responsibilities.” This gives an example of how being involved in our society today can impact you in many different ways. For example, it can raise your future income just by a student taking action in high school. An employer could see this step a student took, and hire them over another potential candidate.

As the issue of non-involved students continues to rage on, many parents and their children will start to get on board and realize the best thing for their child or themselves is to be involved in our society today.