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Gaim Yoosuf Adam Dr. Barri Bumgarner EDU 231 O Position Paper Discovering Oneself through Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular activities has become an important part of ones school or college life, even though in most cases they are voluntary. The academic curriculum has never been all that a school or a college offers to its students. Often, if not always, a wide range of additional classes, clubs and activities are available to students. To name a few; sports, musical activities, debates, Model United Nations, and community services are types of extracurricular activities a school or a college might provide for its students. Since these activities are not examined in the same way that the academic curriculum is, they have less status than the main curriculum, however, they are often held to be very important to the wider education of the students. Nevertheless, the question whether the extra-curriculum should be given more importance in schools and colleges rises every now and then. Extracurricular activities are a way for students to develop interest outside of school and work on their leadership and team-building skills. Simply put, these activities can be used to discover oneself. A student can find his/her weakness and strengths by participating in these activities. These activities not only help students develop personal interests, but it also helps them to discover their passions. These activities can help students discover their personal talents they might not have known existed, and most importantly, it gives them a chance to explore nonacademic pursuits, for instance, life-long love of music, arts, sports or any other number of activities.

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Extracurricular activities can make a positive impact on a students development of necessary social skills and interpersonal skills. This is also a good way to build team work, as most of these activities requires a group of students for it to be successful. Even students that might not normally wow the general classroom crowd can shine in these activities if an activity is something to with their personal talents. Moreover, it is important to mention that these activities can be rewarding for special needs kids, as often they tend to shine away from a general classroom settings, and it often help teachers to discover the hidden talents his/her student have through these activities. The most well-known argument against extracurricular activities is that they distract students from academic studies and it negatively impact their ability to focus in the classroom. And there are those who believes that some schools and colleges piles too many extracurricular activities on top of academics, and these can be not only distracting, but also overwhelming for students. They argue that these activities can negatively affect students as they would have a hard time completing homework, participating in family life, or even getting enough sleep. In addition, there are those who believes that these activities can result in getting students stresses and depressed as some of these activities can be very demanding and instance, and can put lot of pressure on a student. And, for some families, the cost of their students participation in extracurricular activities can simply be too much. With schools and colleges struggling to get enough budget year after year, the contribution school and colleges make to help cover the costs of these activities can become less and less. Since some of these activities can be expensive, families may struggle to financially, and this would further cause more problems as it would put students in a stressful situation as they can get pressure from their friends to participate in those activities.

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Perhaps the most well-known argument against extracurricular activities was advanced by Coleman (1961), who concluded that adolescent subcultures focus on such features as athleticism and popularity, which takes away from academic responsibility. Supporting this argument, there are those who believes that students should be allowed to focus on subjects and activities that will help them toward their chosen career. They believe that they should be more specific in the activities they do in the classroom as it will make them better in their chosen field. However, having a wide range of experiences through extracurricular activities can help a student prepare for a better future. Even though, a student might chose a field to focus, things do not always fall according to plan, and more often than not, students end up going on a different path than they chose while they were in high-school or college. The broad education that extracurricular activities provide can skills one need in life where one changes their careers several time in their life. And of course, there is the common argument that at the end of the day, the extracurricular activities does not really matter, as Higher Education institutions and even employers do not give any importance to the activities a student did, but rather care about their academic grades. But regardless, one cannot deny the important skills students learn through these activities. These skills can not only be used in workplace but also in the wider society. These activities provide good opportunities for students to work in teams, exercise leadership, and even to take initiative themselves. These experiences can make a student a very attractive future employee. Then of course, there is the argument that the cost of conducting these activities and the financial burden families have to face as a result of it. But I believe, if the society can understand the importance of extracurricular activities to students and the benefits it brings, schools and

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colleges will be able to get more funding to conduct these activities. After all, the whole point of having schools and colleges in to build a future generation. A generation that can bring a better future to the society we live in. Coleman (1961) might concluded that extracurricular activities take away from academic responsibility, but later studies have found a general agreement that participation in extracurricular activities is indeed beneficial. March (1992) found a positive correlation between extracurricular activities and academic achievements. Similar studies and results have found by Cooper, Valentine, Nye, and Lindsey (1999), and McHale, Crounter, and Tucker (2001). There are multiple reasons why I believe schools and colleges should have more and more extracurricular activities. 1. Everybody is different. Some are good at sports, while others may be good at music. Students have talents in all sorts of different areas. Who are we to say, one have to choose this path and be happy with it? There is a reason why even people who believe in a system such as caste system are moving away from a system they have practiced thousands of years. I do not think any would will disagree if I say, it is wrong to force students to specialize so early in their life when they do not even know what they want in their life. According to Education Scotland Transforming lives through learning, Every child and young person is entitled to experience a broad education. Even a student might not aim to be a professional musician, they should at least have the opportunity to learn an instrument. A career is not the only, or most important, part of an adults life schools need to make sure they have interests in their family and leisure lives too. 2. Extracurricular activities offer a wide range of skills and methods of learning that a student need when going in to the society. The general curriculum can only go so far as

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to teach and educate students about academic theories. But students whose only experience of schools or college is one of rigid academic study may not be the apply what they have learned in practice. (Lawhorn, Bill Extracurricular Activities.) 3. The problem regarding health issues of the youth is a common topic in todays society. As technology is overtaking everything, and more and more people are comfortable not to do any physical activity, extracurricular activities just might be the answer the parents need for their children who are born in this technology friendly time. Most extracurricular activities are physically active, getting the student out from behind their desk and making them try new things. Physical activity is extremely important for general health whilst ensuring that students are exposed to practical tasks, not just what is taught in class. (World Health Organization Physical Activity and Young People.)

Extracurricular activities has always been, and should always be an important part a students life. As someone who benefited from these activities, I want my students to have the opportunities to experience a wide variety of activities and have the chance to build different social and personal skills they can use in their future. I will make sure my classes are not just focusing on a textbook but would give importance to outside world. I will make sure my students feel comfortable trying new things and to discover themselves.

Bibliography: 1. "College Planning - Extracurriculars Matter ? To You and to Colleges." Bigfuture by The College Board. N.p., n.d. Web. 39 Dec. 2013. <https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/getstarted/outside-the-classroom/extracurriculars-matter-to-you-and-to-colleges>. 2. Coulson, Justin. "Extra Curricular Activities." Kidspot Australia. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Dec. 2013. <http://www.kidspot.com.au/schoolzone//Extra-curricular-General-Extracurricular-activities%204164%20396%20article.htm>.

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3. "The Importance of Extracurricular Activities for Teens." I Have A Plan Iowa . N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Dec. 2013. <https://secure.ihaveaplaniowa.gov/Home/Article.aspx?level=3XAP2FPAX6J7I3kztAT GuYyXAP2BPAXDahIQXAP3DPAXXAP3DPAX>. 4. "The Curriculum in Scotland." Education Scotland - Transforming Lives Through Learning. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Dec. 2013. <http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/thecurriculum/>. 5. Lawhorn, Bill. "Extracurricular Activities:." Winter 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Quarterly, n.d. Web. 31 Dec. 2013. <http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2008/winter/art02.pdf>. 6. "Physical Activity and Young People." WHO. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Dec. 2013. <http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_young_people/en/index.html>. 7. Bush, Jilann M. "The Effect of Extracurricular Activities on School Dropout." Digital Commons @ IWU (2003): 1-10. Web. 31 Dec. 2013. <http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=psych_honpr oj>.