Students are exceptionally busy today. School programs are not only more demanding but many youth participate in, if not one, several extracurricular activities. Studies have shown that the more engaged students are in their studies and hobbies, the less likely they will be to get involved in other, potentially dangerous activities. These after-school programs are beneficial for several different reasons, and it can be easy to review which ones are most helpful and which are not.
Social and Cultural Engagement
With the rise in social media and digital devices, psychologists have found a decrease in social skills, especially among school-age students. Exracurriculars give students the chance to develop their social skills and learn how to integrate culturally into several different groups with diverse individuals.
Develop Interests and Learn About Self
One of the struggles of being a “kid” is learning who you really are. After school programs and activities help students to explore different interests and learn which ones they really like and enjoy. The Education Programs Reviews goes through numerous programs and what they have to offer. Studies have shown that when these students begin to develop their personal tastes, they are less likely to become depressed and have low self-esteem.
Life Skills
Many freshmen college students have one major issue—they lack essential life skills. Those activities offered after school teach students essential abilities that they will take with them into different facets of their lives. For example, students who participate in at least one extracurricular learn how to problem solve, prioritize, set goals, think analytically, have good time management, and utilize basic leadership skills in general.
University Aid
Thinking long-term, after school activities often have benefits where universities and higher education are concerned. For example, choir and band participants can receive scholarships for joining a university or college ensemble. Activities like 4H or National Honor Society help boost a student’s application to universities. Also, there are several upper-education institutions that give additional financial aid for or even require that a student have participated in social and community service.
Study Break-Having Fun
A final skill that is crucial for students to develop is that of learning to take a break and have fun. While videogames and TV do provide this kind of relief for students, studies have consistently shown that the benefits of digital media are short-lived and surface-value at best. Extracurricular activities allow students to take a break from their normal studies and develop themselves outside of academics and digital devices. Youth who have participated in outside activities have been shown to have better self-management skills and know how to better balance their “work/study” life with their personal one. This is an indispensable ability to possess regardless of what they choose to do after their high school education. Young adults today are criticized for their lack of knowledge about how to just life and have fun without the use of substances as an aid. After school programs are the first place to start to begin learning healthy life skills.