I personally believe that while maintaining a high GPA is essential, it is even more important to prioritize extracurricular activities. School and classes teaches students many skills and facts they will need in the real world, but the real world is more about relationships and the intangible skills that will make someone successful and respectable. These skills can be best taught in activities around the school, such as sports, clubs, music, and school projects. I personally am involved in soccer, basketball, track and field, Teen Leadership Corp., Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, National Honors Society, Move 2 Stand (a kindness group), and have been involved in groups such as Athletic Leadership Team and Mock Trial in the past. I am sincerely grateful for each and every one of these groups and literally cannot comprehend what my life would be without each and every one of them. Throughout these activities, I have increased confidence, a sense of belonging, perseverance experience, cooperation and communication experience, teamwork skills, time management skills, lifelong memories, leadership skills, and even better academic performances. As I reflect on each of these, I am aware that these are all things that will be important to me as I aim to better myself in the future and when I earn a permanent job. Though I will need to know the facts I have learned in school when I go into my chosen job field, I will also have the soft skills that cannot be taught in a classroom, but instead by experience with many different people, places, goals, and activities.
On another level, extracurricular activities such as the ones I am involved in can help on a psychological level. Having fun when the time is right can help relieve stress and allow your mind to focus more when you are in the classroom. Additionally, activities can improve mood, help bond people to others, increase energy, better sleep, and lower depressive thoughts and anxiety. Studies even show that students who are involved in multiple activities are more likely to score higher on their SAT and ACT scores and are less likely to drop out of school. Some of the most successful people of our time devoted their time to activities outside of school hours. For example, Stephen Hawking ranked very low in his class, but was involved in many extracurricular activities and became very successful. In conclusion, though grades are extremely important, most vital life skills can only be learned through what extracurriculars can give you.