This document argues that extracurricular activities should be required for middle and high school students. It provides several benefits of extracurricular activities, including improved behaviors, academic achievement, social skills, and school completion rates. Extracurricular activities allow students to apply knowledge from classes, develop leadership skills, and gain experiences that can help in college and careers. The document concludes that due to these wide-ranging benefits, extracurricular activities are important for students' learning and development.

1. Running Head: WHY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES MATTER 1
Why Extracurricular Activities Matter
Luke Smith
University of Northern Iowa

2. WHY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITES MATTER 2
“Extracurricular activities serve the same goals and functions as the required and elective
courses in the curriculum. However, they provide experiences that are not included in formal
courses of study. They allow students to apply the knowledge that they have learned in other
classes and acquire concepts of democratic life” (Massoni, 2011). Extracurricular activities are
important and beneficial to middle school and high school students, and should be required for
learning. Extracurricular activities have many benefits that not only affect the student here and
now, but also may benefit him in the future as well. Different aspects that extracurricular
activities effect are behaviors, academic achievement, social aspects, and completion.
Extracurricular activities are activities that do not fall into the realm of normal curriculum
for schools. They are found in all levels of schooling: middle school, high school, and college. I
know when people hear the word “extracurricular” they think of just sports, and that can shut
people off to the idea relatively quickly. If you’re a parent who doesn’t think their child is
athletic or the sporty type there are many different kinds of activities besides sports including
different clubs, organizations, music, art, and drama to name a few.
The first thing that extracurricular activities effect is behaviors. In sports, they show
discipline in drills, practices and games, and even routines or specific moves. When a student
shows proper discipline in doing these tasks correctly, a sense of pride and self-worth comes to
the student and can even be rewarded for what they did. Some might say this can lead to students
feeling superior to others, leading to excluding others and creating some to become antisocial
towards others. That is another benefit to being in these types of activities, because the kids will
be under supervision and an adult’s guidance. With that guidance and supervision, hopefully that
can steer the kids away from becoming to selfish and feeling superior and can teach the students
modesty and respect. Respect not only for others but for themselves as well. “In today's society

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of ‘everybody needs to feel good about themselves,’ it has become too easy to quit and too easy
to let somebody else do the work” (Kennedy, 2008). These improved behaviors and being under
good supervision allow the students great learning experiences. For those who feel academics
and learning are more important, the next area might help sway opinions.
Something else that extracurricular activities effect is the students’ academic success and
achievements. Most sports teams, show choir groups, or even FFA (Future Farmers of America)
members require good grade point averages (GPA) to participate in the group or team. Because
of this reason it forces the student focus on academics and his studies to ensure he will be able to
do the activities after school that he likes and enjoys. “Research conducted by the National
Center for Education Statistics found that participation in extracurricular activities have a
positive correlation to the students’ attendance, GPA, test scores, and expected educational
goals” (CourseHero, 2014). “In addition, physical activity increases brain function and
concentration levels, which lead to higher grades” (Rivers, 2015).
Plus most extracurricular activities have a connection to higher education opportunities.
When a kid finds something that he excels at and enjoys, such as being good at football, playing
the trombone well, or having exceptional singing and acting skills, they open doors for the
chances to win scholarships and grants for college. I know as a future parent, I would want the
best for my kid and allow for him to get the most out of life and the opportunities he has. Plus
who doesn’t love free money? It seems like a no brainer when put into those terms. If a student
doesn’t believe that college is for him then that’s fine. College isn’t for everyone, and the people
who don’t go to college usually go to work right away. In that case, the ex-student hopefully has
exceptional social skills to help him get through his every day job with people he might not

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know one bit of information about. I know being in extracurricular activities can help prepare for
that.
The most important reason why extracurricular activities should be required for a
student’s learning is because these activities allow the student many social opportunities and
lessons that can help him in whatever he may be doing, but also help him in the future for the
rest of his life. By participating in extracurricular activities students are then exposed to many
assorted tasks: leadership roles, teamwork, time management, organization, problem solving,
critical thinking, learning how to adapt, and even speaking with more confidence. These are just
a few of many tasks that one may benefit from doing a wide range of activities many schools
offer. With all of the different extracurricular activities available students are able to meet so
many different people. When meeting new people, one is to gather more information, ideas and
beliefs, thoughts, values, and interests. This is important because as adults, we meet new people
in so many different settings and learning how to handle that is important with building the
relationship. “Through participation in extracurricular activities, students are afforded with
natural opportunities for developing and practicing priority skills related to individualized
education program (IEP) objectives while having fun in an inclusive environment”
(Dymond;Pence, 2015).
Being in extracurricular activities also can help one in the work place as well. The most
important, impressive, and most valuable activity for college students is an internship. According
to a 2010 Boston University survey and a 2008 NACE survey, students that have experienced an
internship 31% of college students have a higher salary than their counterparts, 53% of them
have at least one job offer by graduation, and 75% of the students are preferred in hiring
(CourseHero, 2014). So again, extracurricular activities should be mandatory for learning at

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younger ages, because they benefit in the present and can benefit in the future as well. If this still
doesn’t explain the importance on why extracurricular activities should be mandatory, there is
still one important factor that these activities benefit from.
Lastly, extracurricular activities benefit and improve a student’s completion. What I
mean by that is student’s completion when it comes to schoolwork, assignments, and school
attendance. “According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students who participate
in extracurricular activities have a 15 percent higher classroom attendance rate than students who
are not involved” (Rivers, 2015). Attendance and participation are important because they go
hand-in-hand when talking about performance in school. For example, as I said before, sports
teams usually require students to be at practices and in order for them to be at practices they need
to attend school. If I student really enjoys whatever extracurricular activity they do, whether it be
a sport, club, or organization, the student is then forced to practice and force themselves to attend
school. Also the student is usually required to get good enough grades to stay eligible to keep
participating, so that is another completion benefit; the student needs to complete homework and
assignments and put work into it to get the grade they need.
Extracurricular activities are for everyone and anyone. Coming from a school of only 240
total enrollment I understand that there may not be a club or organization that sounds all that
appealing at first, but I also understand that there are plenty of opportunities in each activity, no
matter what it was. I know that no matter the kind of student you are, you can fit in anywhere to
a group. I know that if a teacher is doing their job correctly, they make sure the student’s needs
come first and they will keep the student on the straightest path possible. I can think of a group
for every type of person as well whether it be a fostered child growing up, mentally challenged, a

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pastor’s kid or whatever else. Every student can and will benefit at least a little bit from
participating in extracurricular activities.
Extracurricular activities are very beneficial and should be mandatory in a student’s
learning starting young. I have given several reasons as to why I think this way. I first brought up
how it enhances a student’s behavior. I went into detail about how the behavior can increase a
student’s self-esteem, self-worth, and how they look and feel about themselves as a whole. Next
I talked about how extracurricular activities can tremendously sway a student’s academic success
and achievements. Being involved in the activities can be traced back to increased grade point
averages and tests scores. Also, being involved can attract the eyes of colleges and universities.
Good grades can equal free money. Next I gave reasons how beneficial extracurricular activities
are to a growing student’s social life and social being. Being involved in some sort of activity
can help a student gain huge experiences for future references. Finally I talked about how having
a busy schedule can help force a student to become better at time management in order to
succeed inside and outside of the classroom. All of these benefits go hand in hand with each
other, which makes joining and participating in extracurricular activities even more important!
Some may ask how this is relevant to them and this is where I ask a few questions. Do you plan
on becoming a parent? If yes then you should want your child to be the best they can be. Do you
have co-workers at your workplace? If yes, then you probably want co-workers who are able to
have intelligent conversations with, and maybe gain a new friend or two. It benefits not only
them, but can benefit everyone around them as well. “More now than ever, education and
community leaders must be made aware of the benefits and need for high school extracurricular
programs. From interscholastic sports to music, drama, and debate, these activities enrich a
student's high school experience. These programs must be kept alive” (Kennedy, 2008).

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References
Kennedy, R. (2008). The Need for High School Extracurricular Activities. Mount Joy, PA. Vol.
78 Issue 4, p38-39. 2p. Coach & Athletic Director
Massoni, E. (2011). "Positive Effects of Extra Curricular Activities on Students,"ESSAI: Vol.
9, Article 27.
Rivers, S. (2015). Extracurricular Activities and Academic Success. Retrieved from
http://classroom.synonym.com/extracurricular-activities-academic-grades-4906.html
The Value of Extracurricular Activities Infographic. (2014). The Extra Push: How
Extracurricular Activities Can Give You A Leg Up. Retrieved from
http://elearninginfographics.com/value-extracurricular-activities-infographic/