Whatever you enjoy doing outside academics can fall under the extracurricular activities category. While these activities are something you enjoy, they also help colleges determine who you are as a person. Keep in mind that these activities can become highly valuable later in life. We are constantly working toward leaving a good impression on our dream colleges, so why not try harder?
Before introducing you to the compiled list of 10 extracurricular activities for college, let’s hear how important extracurricular activities are and why you should take them seriously.
How Important Are Extracurricular Activities for College?
Extracurricular activities are an essential component of your university application. They represent who you are outside the classroom and allow you to demonstrate your leadership abilities and community involvement.
Almost all high-quality colleges and universities highly value students with great extracurricular interests. Extracurricular activities will surely make you stand out from other applicants.
However, building a credible extracurricular profile takes years and deliberately enhances your candidacy.
10 Extracurricular Activities to Do for College
But what extracurricular activities should I do for college or how many?
A great college application should typically include eight to ten extracurricular activities. That being said, the most important thing to remember about these is quality over quantity. Instead of attempting to do everything, it is preferable first to develop depth in one or two fields. If you have spare time, you can participate in other extracurricular activities.
Without further ado, let’s explore some of the options below.
Internships
Internships are the best way to show how dedicated you are to your chosen field. At the same time, internships help you gain hands-on experience that will be beneficial to your future career. Let’s say you are passionate about writing and communicating; in this case, it would be advisable to have an internship in a marketing department, for example.
Even though an internship would help your application go on top of others, if you don’t have one, you can fill its place with other extracurricular activities related to your field of interest.
But if there is still time for you to get one, go for it!
Part-time jobs
Part-time jobs fall under the category of extracurricular activities too. Putting your part-time job experience(s) on your application would make a big difference. That’s because colleges will see that you have budgeting and time management skills while doing things simultaneously.
Extra points if your job was related to the field of your interest.
Academic clubs and teams
You may be mistaken if you are good at academics and believe that getting good grades is the only way to shine in college. Joining academic clubs or teams would be the perfect extracurricular activity for you as someone who excels academically. These will not only serve as extracurricular activities but will also help you comprehend the subject you choose better.
Sports and athletic activities
Extracurricular activities related to sports or other athletic activities will shine on your application. Your participation in sports is a good way to showcase your commitment, hard work, and ability to work on a team.
Being part of a team shows your college that you know how to make it work and follow directions when working with your peers.
Artistic activities
Artistic activities are an important asset to mention in your application. Even if they are not related to your field or the career you want to pursue, it tells your dream college that you are open to new experiences. Additionally, it’s a great way to show your curiosity and creativity.
Community service
Community service as an extracurricular activity is an excellent way to build your college resume and distinguish yourself. Beyond the resume, many outside organizations contact student-led clubs and community service groups. Those organizations can serve as a springboard to entering the real world and tackling problems outside the campus.
Real-world experience is important in college, so check your school’s list of current clubs and organizations, pick a few that catch your interest, and attend their general interest meetings. You never know what will come of it; you might discover a topic you’re passionate about or meet your next mentor.
Leadership
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Participating in leadership activities tells the people in charge of reviewing your application that you possess additional values than others. You can lead, organize, motivate, plan, and administer. This will create a competitive advantage and smoothen the pavement of your career.
The choices that fall under this category are plenty. You can be the captain of your football team, the class president, lead a project, etc.
Social justice
Social justice activities emphasize fairness and equality, especially for the marginalized. These include clubs, organizations, movements, advocacy efforts, and programs.
If you are planning to put social justice on your list of extracurricular activities, here are some clubs/movements you can take part in:
- Animal Rights Club
- Young Activists Club
- Student Union
- Domestic violence prevention
- Gun violence prevention
- Racial equality work
Tech skills
With the fast-growing technology, any tech-related extracurricular activity will most definitely look impressive on your application. If you plan to study computer science, these activities are a great way to prove your dedication to the field.
Some activities related that you can take an interest in are:
- Blogging
- YouTube channel
- Personal website
- Social media
Travel
Traveling does not imply listing a vacation you took with family or friends on your application. It mainly refers to an exchange program in which you travel to another nation to study for a semester. Traveling for educational purposes is an extracurricular activity, therefore, include it in your application. The main advantage of mentioning such a traveling experience on your application is that it tells your college that you can make it out there independently.
Wrapping Up
All in all, extracurricular activities are just as important as your other educational accomplishments. Participating in various extracurricular activities will teach you things that will help you acquire a job, apply to institutions, and live a meaningful life.
So, what exactly are you waiting for? Join a group, enroll in an online class, or volunteer now!