Naomi (she/her), student
Getting involved opens a lot more doors than you might think. Explore how extracurricular activities can strengthen your university applications, prepare you for future jobs, and foster personal growth.
High school isn't just about academics; it's an adventure waiting to unfold through so many beyond-the-classroom opportunities. Joining your student council, volunteering at a local animal shelter, or playing sports can significantly enhance your future opportunities!
1. Gain valuable experience
Whether you're coding in a tech club, exploring your artsy side, or running around on a field, extracurricular activities allow you to gain experience that can directly align with your future aspirations.
On top of that, those activities help you build a diverse skill set that's essential for life outside of school. Participating in any club enhances valuable soft skills such as time management, teamwork, communication, and organization. Those are relevant building blocks to your future and can help lay a solid foundation for personal and professional growth.
The six extracurriculars I was part of in high school set me up for success by improving my time management and leadership skills. Activities like the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and debate club helped me develop my public speaking and critical thinking skills. Being in student council and field hockey taught me how to be a team player!
2. Improve you university application
While academic performance is the core of university applications, certain schools are also interested in hearing about your extra achievements! Getting involved shows universities that you're well-rounded and able to excel in environments beyond the classroom. The more actively involved you are, the more compelling your application becomes.
Standing out in your university application could not only increase your chances of acceptance, but also pave the way for potential finances. At Waterloo, extracurriculars can increase applicants' chances of getting scholarships, make for better video interviews, and for some programs, they can even influence admission decisions.
3. Fall in love... with a hobby
Personally, clubs were great because they let me delve into several areas I wouldn't have explored on my own. As someone with a dance background, joining my high school's volleyball and track and field teams offered me new sporting experiences I hadn't tried before. Plus, it was always a great way to fill my time after school and gave me a break from my homework!
What's great is the variety, too — there are a lot of ways to volunteer, join clubs, and play sports. With so many extracurriculars, you're bound to fall in love with a new hobby you might not have even known you were into.
Participating in Model United Nations (MUN) in high school was both challenging and rewarding — stepping out of my academic comfort zone to engage in activities has been nothing short of transformative. The early exposure honed my public speaking and diplomacy skills and sparked my passion for political science.
Take it from Skyler, who's still doing MUN to this day on Waterloo's MUN team!
4. Build a competitive edge in the work force
Outside pursuits also build your résumé, showing employers that you're more than just a strong report card. This significantly increases your chances of getting a job, which could support your future university expenses (and those weekly coffee purchases that "don't count" as part of your budget). Plus, a better résumé means you're well prepared to secure a co-op position, if you decide to pursue that path.
Skyler also emphasizes the role clubs play in building confidence and advancing careers. “MUN set a solid foundation for leadership and critical thinking, which played a pivotal role in shaping my current on-campus initiative abilities, like establishing the UW Moot Club, a club that fosters legal and oral advocacy skills through competitions. It also improved my résumé, opening doors to many public policy roles,” he adds.
The competitive edge doesn’t stop at résumé building. Interview abilities, networking, and a better LinkedIn profile all start with you cultivating soft skills, meeting people, and enhancing your portfolio through clubs and activities.
As a high school DECA executive, I developed my leadership, people skills, and verbal communication, which is highly beneficial in the workplace, during interviews, and for networking.
5. Make new friends
Who doesn’t love making new friends? My best friend and I met in middle school, but we didn’t become close until we did track and field together in Grade 9. We spent a whole semester training, going to meets, and competing side-by-side against other schools; by the end of it we were besties. Plus, we made a lot of other friends that we’re still in touch with!
Making connections is such a large part of being on any team. It’s not like you’re working on a school project with someone; you’re all there by your own free will, enjoying a hobby together, or working toward a common goal!
Think of extracurriculars as a sandbox for your future; they're a safe space to explore interests and develop new skills. You'll never know the full extent of your potential until you try, and high school is the perfect time to do just that. So, take the leap, join a club, lead a project — your future self will thank you for it.
If you're ready to make high school unforgettable and enhance your future, expand your horizons and get involved in something new!
