After the final bell rings, the school day is far from over for most high school students. Kids rush to practice, sports, meetings and activities where valuable lessons are waiting.
Clubs have become an important part of the high school experience. They give students opportunities to explore new interests and make friends outside of the classroom.
High school can feel overwhelming, especially for new students and freshmen. However, clubs and sports create smaller communities where students can easily connect with each other without the chaos.
Building friendships and connections are important early on in your high school experience because these relationships often become an important support system throughout your high school career.
Joining new activities may cause you to discover something you didn’t know you enjoyed, especially since it is never too late to start something new.
“I think getting involved in sports and clubs early on is good for you as a student in high school,” psychology teacher Susan Spolarich said. “I think it can be scary as a freshman to get involved early on, but I do think it is beneficial because it puts you out there and it creates opportunities to create new friends.”
Extracurricular activities can help students build important life skills such as communication, teamwork, responsibility and leadership.
Organizing events and working together in group settings teaches you how to collaborate effectively and problem solve with one another, which is essential for future jobs and responsibilities.
“Being an NHS [National Honor Society] officer has definitely helped me become more confident since I’ve gotten more opportunities to help out in events, speak with different people and work with others to plan activities,” senior Safia Colvin-Haque said. “Through NHS, I’ve built leadership and communication skills.”
Not only can clubs and sports prepare you for your future, they can also improve mental health and the overall high school experience. Being involved can improve students’ overall happiness and sense of belonging. Students who participate in these activities often feel more connected to the community.
Sports can also provide a healthy break from academic stress. Being physically active has been proven to make you happier and relieve stress.
Joining clubs isn’t just adding activities to a schedule, it is about building friendships, developing skills, discovering interests, building a resume and creating a fun high school experience all around.
High school offers students many opportunities to get involved, and trying one could make a huge difference.
While it may seem like a scary thing, getting involved can be so much fun and can really help you succeed down the road.
