Activities that are not included in academics or school work are called extracurricular activities. They are often offered after school because they must not affect the students’ performance in his/her classes. These extracurricular activities include students participating actively in organizational clubs such as Math Club, Science Club, and English Club and more; joining beauty contests which purpose is for the school’s benefits; being a contender in different fields such as Quiz Bee, poster making, slogan making, investigatory project and the likes. The wider the range the higher the points the student may get. That is correct, there is a pointing system included for the extracurricular activities especially if the students are candidates for valedictorian or any excellence awards. The accumulated points will be added to the students’ final grade on the last grading period.
Parents are doubtful in letting their children to participate in these activities because of many reasons. They might think that it is not safe for their children to visit other places aside from school, it requires money, and some are not knowledgeable that extracurricular activities are beneficial to their children’s life.
There are several benefits that students may get in joining extracurricular activities. Here are some benefits based on studies of Miss Joy Burgess that parents may consider in allowing their teens to participate in these kind of activities:
- Learning time management and prioritizing.
- Getting involved in diverse interest.
- Learning about long term commitments.
- Making a contribution.
- Raise self-esteem.
One great benefit that your teen being involved in extracurricular activities is that they will learn about time management and prioritizing things in their life. As adults we get very used to juggling a variety of different tasks and commitments. Our teens need to learn how to do this as well, and getting involved in these activities they can get practice at it.
Getting involved in extracurricular activities also allows students to get involved in diverse interest. It is very important for these teens to be very diverse on their interests. These activities allow them to explore various interests that they may have.
This is another excellent benefit of extracurricular activity. When the students join one of the activities or clubs, they commit themselves to that activity for a period of time. If they don’t hold up to their end of the deal, no doubt they will hear it from their peers or perhaps even their teachers. Learning to take on commitments is important, and these activities can teach them this important lesson.
Extracurricular activities allow your child to have contribution in some way. It shows that they are getting away from just thinking about themselves and contributing to someone else. This is important in their growth as a person.
Many times, being involved in extracurricular activities helps to raise the self-esteem of the students.
However, parents must also see to it that they monitor the activities that their child is joining to because they need to consider how much is too much. Anything that is too much will have negative effects, students who are involved in many activities will end up having problems in academics or they can’t get the right rest and recreation. So it is important that they only choose where their interest lies.
By: JENNIFER T. GEMZON BONIFACIO CAMACHO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
