An extra-curricular activity can be anything from taking part in a drama class to joining the local netball team, or volunteering for charity work. Whichever extra-curricular activities you choose to pursue, you will be gaining valuable skills and knowledge that could make all the difference when applying for universities and jobs in the future.
Taking part in extra-curricular activities is a great way to balance your school life and your social life and brings with it a range of benefits including:
Building self-confidence and social skills
Extra-curricular activities will help you to build new friendships with people who share a similar interest and gain valuable skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving. It will also give you a chance to build your confidence and self-esteem by surrounding yourself with new people, in a new environment.
Boosting creativity
By discovering new activities you will be able to explore and develop your individual interests and curiosities. Music lessons, drama groups and art classes are all great opportunities to learn how to express yourself and inspire your creativity.
Improving time management and personal skills
By adding new extra-curricular activities to your timetable, you will be taking on more responsibility, which will help you to learn how to manage your time effectively.
Many employers will ask you to give examples of how well you can work in a team or how organised and motivated you are. Extra-curricular activities are an ideal way of gaining this experience, which you can use to demonstrate your personal skills.