Extracurricular activities are not necessarily bad for students, but they can become overwhelming and take away from time that could be spent on academic work and self-care if not balanced properly.
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Extracurricular activities have been a topic of debate among educators and parents for years. While they can be beneficial for students, they can also become detrimental if not balanced properly.
One reason why extracurricular activities may be bad for students is that they can take away from time that could be spent on academics and self-care. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children and adolescents need a balance of structured and unstructured activities to thrive. If extracurricular activities dominate a student’s schedule, they may not have enough time for homework, studying, relaxation, or sleep.
Another reason why extracurricular activities may be bad for students is that they can be stressful and overwhelming. Students may feel pressure to perform well in their activities, especially if they are competing against others or trying to earn a scholarship. This pressure can cause anxiety, burnout, and a lack of enjoyment in the activity.
However, it is important to note that extracurricular activities are not inherently bad for students. In fact, they can provide numerous benefits such as socialization, physical activity, and leadership opportunities. The key is to balance extracurricular activities with academics, self-care, and free time.
As education expert Alfie Kohn stated, “What students need, far more than extra time in their day, is a reason to invest themselves, to care about what they’re doing, to take risks on their own behalf.” It is up to educators, parents, and students themselves to find a balance that works for them.
Some interesting facts about extracurricular activities include:
- Participation in extracurricular activities has been linked to higher academic achievement, improved college admissions prospects, and better mental health outcomes.
- Nearly 60% of high school students participate in at least one extracurricular activity.
- Common extracurricular activities include sports, music, drama, student government, and community service.
- Some schools have policies that limit the number of extracurricular activities a student can participate in to prevent overload and burnout.
Here is a table comparing the pros and cons of extracurricular activities:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Socialization | Time taken away from academics and self-care |
| Physical activity | Stress and overwhelm |
| Leadership opportunities | Pressure to perform well |
| Improved college admissions prospects | Overload and burnout |
| Higher academic achievement | Can be expensive or require travel |
| Connection to community | May not be accessible to all students |
Video response
According to a recent study, it has been found that overbooking kids with extracurricular activities can be more harmful than good. The pressure to constantly perform and compete in activities can make kids forget to have fun and enjoy themselves, leading to a loss of motivation, emotional stress, and poor academic performance. It is important for parents to recognize if they are just keeping their children busy or if they want them to be productive in their activities by having honest conversations about their interests and teaching them to make decisions for themselves.
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Keeping your kids so busy outside of school that they lack free time for play or rest can lead to stress, anxiety and depression, says Dr. Harpreet Kaur, a licensed clinical psychologist for kids and teens at CHOC in Orange County, California.
Few studies have found negative correlations between extracurricular activity and academic achievement. There are, however, two factors sometimes caused by participation in these activities that may produce negative effects: an overloaded schedule and a narrow sense of identity.
Disadvantages of Extracurricular Activities:
- 1. Time management and commitments: Time management is one of the most important factors, which the students have to consider before making any commitments.
More interesting on the topic
Also Know, Why shouldn’t extracurricular activities be mandatory?
Response: He is responsible for the management and development of student clubs and societies, from Sage journalism said that “[extracurriculars] can lead to negative effects at both the individual (alienation, lack of motivation, lack of social engagement) and institutional level (high drop-out rates).”
Hereof, Do extracurriculars affect mental health? Better Mental Health
One study found that adolescents who participated in extracurricular activities demonstrated higher levels of satisfaction with life and optimism and lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Also, How do extracurricular activities affect students grades?
The response is: Several research studies have shown extracurricular outlets also can have a positive effect on students’ performance in the classroom. Children active in outside activities generally post higher grades compared with those who are less involved.
How does extracurricular activity affect students academic performance? Answer will be: Students who participate in extracurricular activities generally benefit from having better examination results, having higher standardized test scores and higher educational attainment, attending class more regularly and having higher self concept.
Keeping this in consideration, Are extracurricular activities bad for students?
However, extracurricular activities have their negative aspects, too. Students should be aware of the potential pitfalls of those activities to make sure their school experience is as positive as possible. Exciting extracurricular activities are available for elementary, middle and high school students.
Regarding this, Are children engaged in more extracurricular activities than two decades ago? As a response to this: Children are engaging in more extracurricular activities like lessons and sports than they did more than two decades ago, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A Child’s Day: Historical Tables and Figures tracks children’s involvement in extracurricular activities by sex and poverty levels from 1998 to 2020.
Beside this, How can I get involved in extracurricular activities? Response to this: An alternative might be to get involved with clubs or activities that only meet once or twice a week or that only meet for short periods after school. You may choose an activity that leaves enough time for school work and other priorities, but you might choose to devote your extra time and attention to that extracurricular interest.
Are You Overscheduling your kids in too many extracurricular activities? The reply will be: Unfortunately, overscheduling kids in too many extracurricular activities can take a toll on both the children and their parents, and it’s becoming increasingly common — an alarming trend that Kaur has observed in her practice. Kaur says there’s simply not enough information out there about how valuable play is.
Considering this, Are extracurricular activities bad for students?
Response will be: However, extracurricular activities have their negative aspects, too. Students should be aware of the potential pitfalls of those activities to make sure their school experience is as positive as possible. Exciting extracurricular activities are available for elementary, middle and high school students.
Similarly one may ask, Are You Overscheduling your kids in too many extracurricular activities? Response: Unfortunately, overscheduling kids in too many extracurricular activities can take a toll on both the children and their parents, and it’s becoming increasingly common — an alarming trend that Kaur has observed in her practice. Kaur says there’s simply not enough information out there about how valuable play is.
How can I get involved in extracurricular activities? An alternative might be to get involved with clubs or activities that only meet once or twice a week or that only meet for short periods after school. You may choose an activity that leaves enough time for school work and other priorities, but you might choose to devote your extra time and attention to that extracurricular interest.
Also asked, Do extracurricular activities count for school credit?
In reply to that: Most students actually have a few, but they just haven’t realized it. Extracurricular activities can be almost anything you’ve done outside of the classroom that doesn’t count for school credit. Ideally, these things will also be something you’re interested in—even passionate about.