I started participating in extracurricular activities when I was in 9th grade in high school. I volunteered with various organizations without expecting any benefits. Initially, I didn’t know if they would be beneficial for me. I had no particular aim or intention behind my involvement; I pursued them solely out of interest. I never missed an event or an opportunity to work with a club. After two years, I realized how beneficial these activities had been for me. I experienced personal development, learned a lot, underwent significant changes, and gained numerous opportunities as a result. I feel the need to engage in more activities like these outside of my academic studies. Today, I will share with you some of the benefits of extracurricular activities based on my real-life experience. Let’s get started. But before that, let’s define what ECA is.
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You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.
Walt Disney
What is ECA?
Simply put, anything you do outside of your academic studies counts as an ECA or Extra Curricular Activity. Even helping someone cross the road or taking a sick person to the hospital can be considered ECAs. Feeding or caring for a cat also falls under this category. Popular ECAs include volunteering with charity foundations, participating in sports, competing in Olympiads, and engaging in debates, among others. There are many other types of ECAs, and if you’re innovative, you can even create and popularize them. You will understand them better once you start participating. Let’s dive in.
ECA helps you step out of your comfort zone
If you can’t step out of your comfort zone, success will always elude you. Staying within your comfort zone hinders you from trying new things. I struggled with this a lot. I was reluctant to go anywhere new, meet new people, or try anything new. In short, I was stuck in a rut. When a new guest visited our house, I used to ask my mother to say that I wasn’t home. The comfort zone held me back significantly. Now, I am completely confident that extracurricular activities and volunteer work helped me break out of my comfort zone. I can explore new things and communicate with unknown people easily. I can start anything without succumbing to my comfort zone. The comfort zone affects 90% of people, preventing them from trying new things and experimenting. When you engage in extracurricular activities alongside your daily routine, you step out of your comfort zone effortlessly. These activities help boost your confidence and provide mental satisfaction. They refresh your mind, enabling you to tackle tasks outside of your academic life. Once you step out of your comfort zone, you’ll realize how you managed to do it after just a month. So, let’s begin your extracurricular activities journey to break free from your comfort zone. Dream big, explore the world, and reach for the sky.
Boost your confidence level
Engaging in extracurricular activities boosts your confidence level. Confidence is essential in every aspect of life. Without it, accomplishing anything becomes challenging. Even with limited experience, having confidence increases your chances of success, playing a significant role in your life. When you undertake extra work or new activities alongside your studies, you encounter new challenges and experiences. By facing these challenges, your confidence naturally grows. By taking on new challenges, you can discover your confidence and watch it flourish.
Develop your communication skills
You can develop your communication skills through volunteering, participating in sports, or engaging in community work. In these activities, you interact with numerous people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, naturally enhancing your communication skills. Effective verbal communication is essential in all aspects of life. With strong communication skills, you can seize new opportunities and share ideas with like-minded individuals, fostering collaboration and teamwork.
ECA helps you apply for higher education abroad
Engaging in ECAs helps you apply for higher studies abroad. When I started participating in extracurricular activities back in 2018, I was unaware of the benefits they offered. However, after two years, I realized their significance. As I began exploring the process of applying for higher education abroad, I discovered that extracurricular activities were a requirement. Engaging in ECAs greatly enhances the chances of receiving scholarships, especially in the USA. I found a separate section dedicated to ECAs on the US Common App portal, alongside the Honor section. This indicates the significant impact of extracurricular activities on admissions. This applies not only to the USA but also to other countries and scholarship programs. Extracurricular activities are crucial because while academic grades and marks are important, they do not fully capture an individual’s true talent. ECAs play a vital role in identifying and showcasing students’ actual talents.
Time Management And Commitment
Students who juggle coursework and ECAs learn to manage time effectively. They develop a sense of commitment and prioritization necessary for tackling multiple responsibilities. These time-management skills are critical for academic achievements and future career successes.
- Keeping a calendar or planner helps students track their activities and deadlines.
- Allocating specific times for studying and extracurricular activities fosters discipline.
Managing commitments in ECAs teaches the importance of consistency and dedication. These traits are invaluable for students aiming for excellence in their education and beyond.
Overall, the symbiotic relationship between academic performance and ECAs offers a multitude of benefits, nurturing well-rounded, capable, and successful individuals.
Development Of Leadership Qualities
ECAs create a platform for students to develop leadership qualities. Through roles in student organizations, team sports, or group projects, participants learn to lead and inspire peers. Key leadership traits built include:
- Responsibility – Taking charge of tasks and projects.
- Decision-making – Choosing the best course of action.
- Problem-solving – Addressing issues effectively.
- Confidence building – Growing self-assurance in abilities.
These qualities are sought after in nearly every career, setting a foundation for professional advancement.
That’s it.
So, as you embark on your extracurricular activities journey, you’ll realize more of these benefits. Let’s dive into this amazing adventure.
Have any questions?
Reach out to me and I will do my best to help.
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