Six Extra-Curricular Activities that Prepare Students for University

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Education, students who engage in co-curricular or extra-curricular activities are three times more likely to have a grade point average of 3.0 or better than students who do not. 

In addition to better grades, your child has the opportunity to compete with other students around the world, establishing a collaborative work ethic as well as time management skills and becoming a more confident individual. 

Your child can use these opportunities to set their own personal goals for achievement in an area outside of, but often complementary to, subjects covered in the classroom.

The benefits of joining an extra-curricular are readily apparent, but what are the activities that look best on a university application? 

Below we explore six extra-curricular activities you should encourage your child to join. 

Model United Nations (MUN)

Rigorous debate, in-depth research, a hunger to learn; these are all characteristics of the students who join the Model United Nations (MUN).

“A pivotal part of MUN other than meeting new, diverse and inspiring people, is the breadth and depth of new global knowledge that I am exposed to,” said Joon, a 17-year-old student at the International School of Tanganyika (IST) and MUN member. “It makes me feel more involved and aware of the urgent issues around the world rather than [being] uneducated and helpless.”

The group holds simulations within schools to seek resolutions to global problems through discussion, negotiation and debate, with students representing different countries and inhabiting both that nation’s point of view and their priorities.

Student Government 

As part of the student government, your child will be able to encourage student-initiated activities and ideas, represent the overall views of the school community, ensure the voice of the student body is heard and validated and advise the administration on important student matters.

Not only does this give your child a chance to see the good they can do in the community, but it also teaches them public speaking skills - the benefit of which cannot be emphasized enough. 

STEM

The STEM programme is an activity which instills skills in students that benefit them in school, university and in their career. 

“All our students get involved because in Grade 7 Design Lessons we program games in Scratch, and build and program Lego robots,” said Mark Henderson, the MS Digital Design Teacher at IST. “For Grades 6 to 8, we also have a Lego Robotics Club, and Grades 9 to 12 can join the Robotics Team and compete in the ISSEA STEM tournament using Botball, Lego and Arduino equipment.”

The STEM programme is one that challenges the students to apply the lessons they learn in class. And at the ISSEA tournament, students get to put all of their hard work to the test.

“The annual ISSEA STEM competitions are always intense and incredibly rewarding, with 16 students from each school participating in science and mathematics challenges in addition to the main event of Botball Robotics,” Henderson said.

Roots and Shoots 

Roots and Shoots aims to inspire young people to become leaders who will stand up for what is right, use their voices and make the right choices to help create a better world. It's an organization that teaches youth to have respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs and to inspire youth to take action.

It will not only help empower your children, but it will also greatly enhance their university application. 

An Athletic Team 

Be it basketball, swimming, volleyball - just to name a few - encouraging your child to join their school’s athletic teams sets them up for success in so many ways.

Not only do they get to stay active, but they also get to do it on a team while repping their school colours. The moment they run out onto the court - or jump into the pool - with their classmates cheering them on will be something they never forget. 

Universities also see this as a strong demonstration of time management skills. 

Creative Pursuits

Drama, band, choir, as well as visual arts; these are all extra-curricular activities that strengthen an application while also helping your child build fundamental skills.  

Your child will develop leadership skills, build confidence and the ability to see something through all the way to the end. 

Be it any of the six ideas above, or any other after school activity, encouraging your children to join extra-curricular activities will not only help strengthen their university application, it will also greatly enhance their school experience. 

At IST, extra-curricular activities are embedded in the curriculum, especially in the Diploma Programme (DP). As your child enters the last two years of their Secondary School experience, they need to be preparing themselves in all areas to not only graduate at the top of their class but also have a strong university application. 

Find out more about the IB Diploma Programme at IST.