School culture is largely shaped by what choices students and teachers make during school hours, but what about outside of them? Extracurricular activities such as clubs, teams, and after school events, all contribute to culture, potentially in more impactful ways than the average school day.

While school is required up until the age of sixteen in Georgia and several other states in this country, clubs are always optional. Those that choose to participate in extracurricular activities not only show a desire to pursue their interests, but they also end up intentionally or unintentionally boosting their education. While the main focus may be to fluff up a resume or application, school culture also thrives with the willing participation of students. 

Applicable Skills

Clubs teach many skills, as they are so varied. An art club provides a creative outlet, a study group may assist your education, a debate club may help your public speaking skills. All are important in their own ways, and all help foster a well-rounded student body, with multiple life skills that will aid them in their daily existence. These skills also transfer to the normal school day, as someone may be more equipped to deal with certain situations if they have past experience solving similar problems. For example, if you participate in theater, you may have an easier time public speaking and projecting your voice during a presentation for class. 

Leadership Opportunities

On top of this, clubs tend to build leadership skills if you are in a position of power such as a team captain, leader, or event organizer. You build trust with others, direct them, and learn to take responsibility for your actions. This directly benefits the school as well, as students can provide good feedback from their perspectives. Teacher’s don’t always know what will help students the most, and having a team equipped to provide constructive criticism will  improve school culture overall and create more responsive environments

Time Management

Joining an extracurricular activity tends to challenge students to learn to multitask and successfully juggle several responsibilities at once. This is a crucial skill in life, as when you become an adult you have to constantly balance your world between work, shopping for necessities, paying bills, getting enough sleep, having a social life, and potentially adding the stress of a spouse or children reliant on you as well. If you can learn time management, be adaptable and prioritize at a younger age, you’ll be more prepared later in life. 

Community Involvement

Depending on the activities a school provides, clubs also create a school’s public image. Outside of academics, a community will mostly see how different clubs and organizations interact with the world around them. Sports teams and several other activities travel to compete, a band may march in a parade, an environmental club may do a cleanup event for a park, etc. Encouraging community involvement will always boost a school’s image if the students participating are helpful and well-mannered. 

Having a space outside of academics to be social and interact with the world is crucial to the development of students. While the main focus of school may be passing classes to graduate, people need to accept the fact that clubs do help encourage education and give students a much needed break and a fun activity to look forward to during the school day. The benefits to a school’s culture cannot be understated, and clubs are crucial in fostering a sense of community and improving social relationships.