Becoming involved on campus in extracurricular activities and student support programs allow students to gain access to many academic benefits during their community college journey. Unfortunately, according to Abell and Schmid (2003) many community college students attend these institutions without ever becoming involved. There are many factors that contribute to student’s lack of involvement on campus, ranging from employment, family obligations, commuter status to lack of awareness that such resources even exist. Regardless of which factor is responsible for the lack of student engagement on campus, the issue is problematic. However, this paper will focus on the benefits that are associated with involvement in student support programs and …show more content…
Massoni (2011) claims that extracurricular activities have a positive influence on student’s academic performance, he states extracurricular activities are associated with better grades and school completion and higher academic achievement (p.2). Many community college extracurricular activities require students to maintain a certain grade point average to participate, which forces students to do well academically if they wish to continue their involvement in particular extracurricular activities. Therefore, student involvement in extracurricular activities requires students to be accountable for their academic …show more content…
Within Catherine T. Flaga’s (2006) research, “The Process of Transition for Community College Transfer Students”, she explains the importance of professional clubs as, “they provide information about internships and career opportunities and serve as resources about the academic field, which help solidify students’ interest in the area (p.8)”. Clubs also assist students to acquire a variety of skills both academically and in the work force. Grace Chen (2015) from the College Review writes, “In addition to helping foster practical skills [...] extracurricular activities allow students to “test the waters” and explore new areas of interest” (p.1). Clubs are important for a student’s success, not only in the classroom, but taking what they have learned into a practical experience. While clubs are gateways to allow both academic and social growth for students, student unions are the glue that maintains the livelihood of life on
Clubs were a great way for me to expand my interests outside of athletics. I was involved in Key Club and FCA freshman year and I enjoyed meeting new people and making a difference in our community. I was inducted a member of NHS junior year and this was a great way to make service a priority.
Students should desire to earn higher grades, not necessarily just earn them to surpass each other. Higher grades can be an indicator that a student is sincerely learning, a feat which should be celebrated. Subsequently, there are a wide variety of scholarships out in the world, so students don’t necessarily compete for the same ones. There are ones based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, job (or lack thereof), one’s parent’s job, and a number of other factors. Scholarships exist out there if a student is simply willing to search. Students also adopt extracurricular activities to cause themselves appear preferable, nevertheless this is not required. No one forces students to join extracurricular activities (except maybe their parents). Moreover, there are other ways to cause oneself appear desirable to colleges and jobs than being a participant in extracurricular activities. Extracurricular activities are an excellent way for students to meet people who are fond of the same interests as them. In all honestly, there’s not an array of excuses nowadays for students having grades that aren’t up to par. Computers are one of the world’s best resources when it comes to finding information. Even besides that, books today come out with furthered information and other helpful tools than ever. Students have every resource they need to succeed, so
Social capital corresponds to the production function of social connections. “By engaging in closed work systems, individual actors can tap into information channels and engender a sense of trust and reciprocity with others in the social network” (Coleman 75). Developing relationships and connections with others within a social system enables individuals to generate social capital for themselves. The study by J.S. Coleman utilizes the idea of social capital to help understand how community college students may be disadvantaged by increased exposure to part-time faculty members (93).The disadvantaged backgrounds from which many community college students originate, as well as a tendency for these students to be less academically prepared than their peers in four-year institutions, may place community college students at a deficit when considering their levels of both cultural and social capital. To counteract this potential deficit, community college students may need additional nurturing and guidance from mentors and faculty members.
Upon arriving to college, many students face the challenge of finding a community to belong to. I believe the student affairs professionals on campus are the resource to building communities within the student body. Reflecting back on my first semester of college, I found my community within two organizations; Dance Marathon and UI Alumni Association Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.). Within the organizations I met two advisers who opened my eyes to the world of student affairs.
In “Choosing Success in College and Life”, Carol Kanar exposes students to the foundational skills that they will need to develop in order to be successful in the college setting. Effective interpersonal skills and understanding that people are the biggest resource can be two of the biggest factors in how a student assimilates to campus life. Students can be intimidated by all of the offices and professional titles that surround them when entering this new surrounding. It is important that students understand that their desire to succeed is met by college professionals’ mutual desire to see the same. The blueprint for this success should first begin with the students’ inner belief in themselves. Second, the student should familiarize themselves with all that the college has to offer by way of various supportive offices, support groups, and clubs. Finally, the students should begin to set scholastic, life, and financial goals for themselves.
My goal is to implement a similar program at the high school level where students are exposed to this level of support and companionship; all united in the same goal of helping each other succeed. It is also essential for students to witness what college is like before stepping inside for the first day of class. To see what college is like, and to experiment the environment goes a long way for students who are new to the experience. The Roaring Fork School District Pre-Collegiate Program is a prime example of what a stable source of support and assistance can do in the long run. This school district, located within Colorado’s western slope,
High school students were surveyed about what negative effects they experience when they feel overwhelmed, both in school and at home. “40% of students say they [lost] interest in school and learning” altogether and “35% said they participated less in extracurricular” activities (Powell). Extracirriculars are an essential part of a teenagers high school expirience, but if students cannot handle the high expectations academically, they will not voluntarily add more to their agenda, even if it means giving up something they were once passionate about. There is not enough time for extracurriculars when workloads take up both the days and nights of most high school students. The rumor that once college starts, students should be prepared for sleepless, coffee fueled nights is losing validity; those nights begin in high school. “73% of students [lose sleep due to the high stress levels]” in school. Whether they are losing sleep from anxiety to complete their work or if they actually sacrifice ...
You’ve heard the advice before “get involved, join a club”, at the University of Montana (UM) we are a very large commuter college, involvement is a good way to develop relationships with other students and to create a sense of community for yourself and others.
In college, I will also be exposed to new clubs and activities. I feel that club and after school activities can make a person more involved and give a person the right qualities to become a leader. Involvement in extra events has provided a balance for rigorous course study. With the pressures that college brings, I will probably want to be involved in many groups.
The multitudes of extracurricular and academic activities I participate in were chosen because of their focus on my interests. I want to pursue a career in computer engineering and/or biological engineering. In order to help me accomplish this I carefully consider how extracurricular and academic activities will assist me in the future. Currently I am participating in several rigorous academic courses such as AP Physics C and AP Calculus BC to gear me towards a college environment, as well as a variety of clubs that focus on engineering and the sciences. A vast majority of the classes I take are advanced placement, which gives me the chance to obtain college credit before entering college. Advance placement classes also challenge me with faster paced instruction, which prepare me for the speed and difficulty of college level courses. I am currently taking AP Biology, AP Computer Science A, , AP Literature and Composition, AP U.S. Government and Politics, Pre-AP Chinese IV, and Honors Independent Research. In terms of extracurricular activities, I currently participate in the Stock Market Club, Science and Engineering Club, our school’s FRC team, and Chinese Club. In my free time I enjoy building computers, putting together parts lists for computers, programming, playing video games, and learning about various technical jobs and new computing technologies such as server administrator and quantum computing.
There are many benefits of student clubs directed towards students, instructors, etc. The benefits for students include developing leadership and self-esteem skills. Students also become acquainted with the community members, instructors, and students. The students also apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in their club. Some other advantages are learning to work as a team and with people from different ethnicities. The instructors benefit from clubs by observing their students applying the skills learned in the club in the classroom and then challenge the students’ new skills.
Stuart, M., Lido, C., Morgan, J., Solomon, L., and May, S. (2011). The impact of engagement with extracurricular activities on the student experience and graduate outcomes for widening participation populations. Active Learning in Higher Education, 12(3), 203-215.
Teens who post positive status are more likely to be involved. Teens posting activities they are involved in such as clubs, sports, competitions, or FFA that are positive. Being involved in extracurricular activities can have a very positive impact with a teen’s grades and so...
In the article, “The Effects of Fraternity/Sorority Membership on College Experiences and Outcomes,” authors Ashley M. Asel, Ernest T. Pascerella and Tricia A. Seifret, provides the explanation of a Greek’s life experience and the outcome of it. Studies have shown that the number of students in the greek life spend more hours per week participating in extracurricular activities and volunteer work than other students (Asel, Pascerella& Seifret
Imagine walking across the stage in just a few years from now. Having thousands of eyes pointed at you as you take that emotional walk to finally receive your high school diploma. After a few years when you have graduated high school and started life, you're going to look back and think, what have I accomplished so far? Extracurricular activities can be very beneficial for students now, and those in the future as well. They can allow you to feel like you have accomplished something while in school. Extracurricular activities are important because they can benefit a student through personal, educational, and even social means. It is a great idea to get more students involved in extracurricular activities and parents should begin to give their kids a little push to get them more involved.