Ivy Tech Community College is not just about the academics. Extracurricular activities are in abundance to help students perform better. If we look at one pioneering study from the NCES Education Policy in 1995, we can see that this was one of the first studies to connect extracurricular activities with better grades and a higher chance of students staying in school.
It’s research like this that has convinced Ivy Tech to provide around 100 events every single year for students on all three of its campuses.
So why should you follow suit with participating in opportunities beyond academics?
Better Grades are a Given
In an OPRF study, focusing on a high school in Chicago scientists studied the difference in grades between students who participated in extracurricular activities and those who didn’t. The results showed comprehensively that taking an extracurricular activity makes it more likely that your GPA will be higher.
And there’s no reason why this same principle wouldn’t apply to community college students. All students should look to participate in an extracurricular activity.
An Opportunity to Collaborate
No man or woman is an island. When you collaborate with others you increase the chances of meeting other like-minded people. It’s the same reason why students are advised to buy a research paper from academic experts so they can learn how to produce better papers.
Extracurricular activities integrate students further into the student body. They’re able to meet new people and collaborate both on projects and on studying for exams.
Learning Transferrable Skills
Extracurricular activities are not just about having fun and doing something you enjoy. You’re learning transferrable skills all at the same time.
For example, let’s say that you’re playing a team game. You might be playing football, hockey, or baseball, to give a few examples. You may be the team captain or have another leadership role within the team. Believe it or not, this can be beneficial for your college work later.
The reason for this is the captain of the football team is learning about how to lead. When it comes to group projects in class they already know what they have to do to make the teamwork.
And there are countless other examples of transferrable skills that go a long way to explain why students participating in extracurricular activities get better grades.
Gain Confidence in Yourself
Putting yourself out there, meeting new people, and testing your skills are all methods in which you can gain general confidence in yourself.
Academic success requires a lot of confidence in yourself. If you’re second-guessing yourself every time you do something, you’re likely to fail. The best students have a certain swagger about themselves. They’re confident in what they’re doing and the results are there for all to see.
Extracurricular activities at Ivy Tech are a great way for anyone to come out of their shell.
Last Word – Why Extracurricular Activities are More than Fun
Extracurricular activities are fun, but they have so many more benefits. They improve grades, make students more outgoing, and improve their confidence. These benefits all go towards getting more out of college and academia.
Colleges are no longer exclusively about the academics. By jumping headfirst into student life, you have a lot to gain.
Do you think extracurricular activities are beneficial for students?
Thanks for reading this article. If you're new here, why don't you subscribe for regular updates via RSS feed or via email. You can also subscribe by following @techsling on Twitter or becoming our fan on Facebook. Thanks for visiting!
