Extracurricular activity
An extracurricular activity or extra academic activity (EAA) is an activity, performed by students, that is not part of the normal curriculum of school, college or university education.
These activities are often voluntary (as opposed to mandatory), social, philanthropic, and often involve other people of the same age. Students and staff run these activities under faculty sponsorship. Activities created by students, such as independent newspapers, are also very common.
An extracurricular activity or extra academic activity (EAA) is an activity, performed by students, that is not part of the normal curriculum of school, college or university education. These activities play a crucial role in student development beyond traditional academic learning.
Types of Extracurricular Activities
[change | change source]Extracurricular activities can be broadly categorized into several types:
- Sports and Athletics: This includes team sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as individual sports such as swimming, tennis, and track and field.
- Arts and Culture:
- Performing arts: Drama clubs, theater productions, dance groups, and choir
- Visual arts: Art clubs, photography clubs, and creative design groups
- Cultural organizations: Language clubs, international student associations
- Academic Enrichment:
- Debate clubs
- Academic competition teams (such as math or science olympiads)
- Robotics and coding clubs
- Model United Nations
- Community Service and Leadership:
- Volunteer organizations
- Student government
- Peer tutoring programs
- Environmental and social justice clubs
Benefits of Extracurricular Activities
[change | change source]Participation in these activities offers numerous advantages:
- Personal Development: Students develop soft skills like teamwork, communication, leadership, and time management.
- Social Skills: Opportunities to meet and interact with peers who share similar interests
- College and Career Preparation: Many universities and employers value extracurricular involvement as it demonstrates initiative and well-roundedness
- Mental Health: These activities can reduce stress, boost confidence, and provide a sense of belonging
- Skill Diversification: Students can explore interests and talents outside of traditional academic subjects
Characteristics
[change | change source]These activities are typically:
- Voluntary (as opposed to mandatory)
- Social in nature
- Philanthropic
- Involving peers of similar age
- Run by students and staff under faculty sponsorship
Examples of Student-Led Activities
[change | change source]- Independent student newspapers
- Literary magazines
- School radio or podcast stations
- Entrepreneurship and innovation clubs
- Peer support and mentorship groups
While extracurricular activities are not part of the core academic curriculum, they are widely recognized as essential components of a holistic educational experience, contributing significantly to students' overall personal and professional growth.
Other websites
[change | change source]- Using extracurricular activity as an indicator of interpersonal skill: prudent evaluation or recruiting malpractice[dead link], Human Resource Management, Rubin, R.S., Bommer, W.H. & Baldwin, T.T. (2002).
- Extra Curricular Network Australia (ECNA) promotes Extra curricular programs for tertiary students in Australia.
- Extra-Curricular Activities After School Programs for Kids in Houston Archived 2017-03-14 at the Wayback Machine
