How To Find An Extracurricular

Hey Saint Joe! With the co-curricular fair approaching, here are a few questions to ask (and not to ask) yourself when thinking about which extracurriculars you should join:

To Ask: “Will this extracurricular create ideal opportunities for me in the future?”

Do you see yourself dedicating a concentrated amount of time to this extracurricular. For example, in joining Art or Photo Club, you should create your artwork with care. In joining SECO or SADD, you should take initiative in decision making processes. Doing so will certainly expand your skillsets and potentially the skillset necessary for certain career paths. The question is, are those career skillsets that you would like to practice?

In other words, don’t exclusively join extracurriculars because of the people who are in them. Making new friends is a bonus in choosing an extracurricular in which you can bond over having a common passion.

“Does this extracurricular challenge me?”

A challenge can be a good thing, and a challenge can be either not being gifted artist or lacking some social skills. Choosing based off of this approach is different from the last, since it’s prioritizing different benefits of taking extracurriculars. Extracurriculars are a great opportunity to make friends, and if you’re struggling in that department, then joining an extracurricular is a great way to help. Extracurriculars are also a great way to try something new. Maybe you’re not interested in perfecting your skillsets to the point of career possibilities, but interested in that extracurricular as a general life skill. If you have the time for that kind of new opportunity, then go for it.

Not To Ask: “Will other people criticize me for joining this extracurricular?”

Don’t care about what other people think of you. If doing something out of the ordinary genuinely excites you, then you should pursue it. Sooner or later, you will realize that in the big picture, worrying about other people will only slow you down. Besides, what’s so bad about being out of the ordinary?

The general advice I can offer you is follow your heart and your passions when choosing an extracurricular. Choose something true to who you are, applicable to your strengths, and opportunistic for your weaknesses.