A typical day for me involves getting up early for either cheer or dance practice. Then, a full day of classes and even sometimes a student council meeting. After school is out, I travel to Sedalia for ballet, jazz or lyrical dance class. If I don’t have dance, I may have a game to cheer or a Madrigal event. I usually don’t get home until eight at night, and I catch up with my family, do homework, and eat dinner. Weekends are full too with cheer competitions, dance competitions, a 4-H meeting or rehearsals for different events. Even on Sunday I go to church, and youth in the evening. You may ask yourself why there are so many activities. The answer is it makes me well-rounded, gives me a chance to meet new people, makes me responsible, and gives me different perspectives of life.
According to the Oklahoma State University Extension marriage and family specialist, Ron Cox, “such activities also serve as real time laboratories where students can develop critical life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and dealing with advertising, As an example, 4-H includes lots of service projects that gives kids hands-on generosity and self-sacrifice. There aren’t a lot of places where kids can learn these types of lessons.”
“Several research studies have shown extracurricular outlets also can have a positive effect on students’ performance in the classroom. Children active in outside activities generally post higher grades compared with those who are less involved,” says Cox.
Being involved gets me a chance to meet new people and make friends. I have dance friends, cheer friends, and even church friends. Being involved also keeps me occupied, and connects with positive role models.
“Students who have at least one other caring adult in their lives, in addition to a parent, tend to do better academically, socially and in terms of avoiding drug use and teen pregnancy,” states Cox.
I like being busy and I really cherish the relationships I have formed through my diverse activities. My activities outside of school have taught me that there is no limit to what I can accomplish if I put my mind and body to it. They also teach me to be responsible and to rely on myself to get places. I can achieve my goal of being on a college dance team if I work hard enough in the studio to acquire the skills it will take. I can be an ambassador for youth in agriculture through 4-H AND be a spirit leader in my school. I can do all of these things and still keep my focus on my education. I know that being an active teenager will form me into an adult who is focused on community involvement and someone who is able to handle the stress that will inevitably come.
If you find yourself hating school. I encourage you to find a club, sport, or an activity and get involved. You will make new friends, learn something new, and, most importantly, have fun. It will make school more enjoyable, and you will find yourself wanting to do more.