For most students, academics are only part of their high school schedule. Extra curricular activities can be a great way for students to explore their interests, meet friends with similar interests, and develop their leadership skills. Extra curricular activities can also take up a lot of time in an already busy schedule. The number of activities that a student can balance will depend largely on his or her organization and time management skills.

High school is an important time for academics and college preparation, but there are other things that can enhance a student’s high school experience and resume. High school sports are a great outlet for many students, a way to do something they love, improve their athletic skills, and, possibly, be eligible for college sports scholarships. Sports can also take up a lot of time. Students should be realistic about the number of sports they can balance at any given time and prioritize which ones are the most important to them.

Being involved in the arts has been shown to benefit students during high school and beyond. Music, visual arts, and drama are all great ways for students to grow and learn new things. These are also skills that they can go on to use in college or see as preparation for a number of different career paths.

Students may also want to prioritize activities that are more applicable to their college and career goals. For example, a student that is looking to pursue journalism will want to make time in his or her busy schedule for the school newspaper, literary journal, and other related activities. These will be excellent preparation for college and their career. They can also be ways to meet mentors that can continue to help them after high school.

Volunteer work can also set students apart on college applications and be a great way for young people to get involved and make a difference in their communities. Many students find that this sort of activity is not only a great way to spend free time, but can help them to develop new interests and learn about different possibilities for their future career.

Students may find that they get more out of having leadership roles in fewer clubs than they do from being a member of many. Being an officer on the student council or in a leadership role in a club can help students build skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. This sort of involvement requires more time, but is often more meaningful than being a general member of many clubs. Extra curricular activities should always be limited to what a student can balance while maintaining their academics, but can be an important part of every student’s high school experience.