It is common knowledge that parents should encourage their children to join clubs. We hear that it’s good to be more involved at school and that it will make students look better on college applications. But are school clubs really that important? Are they helpful and worth the time? What are the benefits of joining a school club?

As a student currently enrolled in high school, I can say with confidence that YES, Clubs are worth the hype! Let me explain why.

The Benefits of Joining a School Club

Gain Experience & Show Dedication

Joining a variety of diverse clubs is a useful way to discover your passions. You can find something you enjoy and follow through with it for the rest of your school years. This gets you more involved with your school and helps build your resume.

Colleges want a student that will be involved at their college and give them a good image. Sticking with a club for many of your high school years reflects your dedication. Leadership positions, achievements, and projects you take on in the club will also help supplement this.

Leads to Opportunities

Being part of a school club may not be the defining factor that gets you into your dream college, but it can lead to opportunities that are. School clubs are oftentimes part of a larger organization. These well-established organizations have access to resources they can provide you with. In addition, they may have competitions you can partake in, or will inform you about general opportunities such as internships or summer programs.

Net-Working

School clubs are a great way to meet new people. Having a community of like-minded people gives you access to information that you may not have heard about otherwise. Furthermore, it’s always good to widen the scope of people you know. It gives you the ability to contact older or more experienced students for advice.

School clubs generally have teacher sponsors as well. This is a great way to get to know your teachers better for recommendation letters. Colleges and job/internship positions often want a strong letter of recommendation from an adult outside of your family. Teachers can provide that for you, so it’s important to let them know that you are a delightful and hardworking individual.

Tips to Navigating School Clubs

Tip #1: Try everything once

There’s no harm in attending a few club meetings. If it’s not the right fit for you, you can simply leave and try something else. The last thing you want is to regret not joining a club, and you never know what you may end up enjoying. Once you have found a few clubs you love, stick with them and be as involved as possible!

Tip #2: Make your presence known

Be sure to ask questions, offer help, and participate in group discussions. If you decide that you would like to stick with this club, a leadership position would be your next step. You want to make sure that the current officers know who you are and that you are passionate about the club!

Tip #3: Choose clubs that reflect you

The clubs you choose to stick with should tell colleges something about you. For instance, your passions, future career goals, or that you are a strong leader. Additionally, they can serve to supplement something you are already part of as well. A club such as “Music with a Purpose” pairs well with being in your school’s orchestra program.

Tip #4: Prioritize

Remember not to overload yourself. On top of clubs, you still have your normal load of schoolwork. Some clubs have larger time commitments than others so it is your responsibility to only join what you can handle. Think about the number of meetings per month, the time you will need to spend each week (for clubs focused on competitions), and whether this club is helping you in the long run.

Conclusion

Yes, clubs are worth the hype! They lead to so many opportunities and set you on a path to success. In addition, you can discover your passions and join a community of like-minded individuals!