All study and no extracurricular activities makes Jack a dull boy. Stating the obvious, if Jack were to take up extracurricular activities, Jack will be a much more interesting individual because Jack met many like-minded new friends whom Jack can create many wonderful memories with. Not to mention, the extra credits Jack’s curricular vitae will get. However, Jack still needs to be convinced that it will be worthwhile to spend his weekends attending committee meetings, working on last-minute amendments or planning ice-breaking activities.
It is simply
just about learning.
One of the best things about
participating in extracurricular activities is having seniors to provide you
guidance. This is the best time to learn as you are expected and given leeway
to stumble and make mistakes. These are times when it is more acceptable
for you to make stupid mistakes such as writing the wrong address for legal
documents or failing to read the entire case judgement and then being caught
doing so. Fortunately, base on my experience, you would usually learn from your
mistakes as the consequences of doing so will usually be etched deeply in a
corner of your mind.
Another thing I liked about joining extracurricular activities is it gave me the opportunity to meet exceptional individuals who inspired me to work towards improving myself to be an even better version of myself and foster the belief that I still have much hidden potentials in me, ready to be unlocked. In the words of Chamath Palihapitiya during an interview with the Stanford Graduate School of Business: “Honestly, just be a good copier……Be around high-functioning, high quality people and just copy the (things) that they do.” What he meant. however, was not to blindly copy everything a person does without some aforethought of your own, but to make your own observations and opinions on quality traits that are worth copying and those that you should avoid.
In a way, an extensive list of extracurricular experiences
most probably increase your chances of getting your dream job because it shows
the extra mile you took for your personal growth and betterment. Some employers
nowadays do appreciate fresh graduates who are passionate in working on
something more than their academics. I was granted a finance internship
opportunity despite graduating with a law degree and having zero working
experiences in the finance sector. He however appreciated the fact I was eager
for the new experience, something he strongly relates to as he was an active
student during his university days as well. Your experiences could be the
determining factor when you find yourself caught in a tight competition between
highly qualified applicants.
Book smart
is important, but so is street smarts.
Part of the
experience I get from extracurricular activities is learning how to interact
with others, especially in the sense of being a role player within a team.
First of all, I realised how important it is to be able to grasp the art of
communication. It is important to be mindful of other people’s opinions within
my level of tolerance and If I am confident that my opinions would work better
for the team I will have to step out of my comfort zone and be expressive of my
opinions - the correct way, by phrasing my words in a way which ensures
effective communication but making sure that I conveyed my respect for the
opinions of others as well. For example, instead of saying: “I do not like your
idea;” it will probably resonate better and cushion the blow if I phrase my
disagreement as such: “I would like to raise some of my concerns.”
Furthermore,
as the saying goes: “if you want to go fast, walk alone. If you want to go far,
go together.” I cannot agree with this more. My experiences as a role player in
various event teams and societal organisations made me realise the importance
of teamwork and how the cohesion of a team should come first over my own
personal goals. I have been part of successful teams, as well as teams that
fell apart due to internal misunderstandings and conflicts which allowed me to
come to the conclusion that what determines the success of the team is good
leadership, prioritising on honest and effective communication within the team
and that includes understanding your teammates. Part of the beauty of
extracurricular activities is meeting individuals from different walks of life with
different personalities, some whom have very different opinions from mine which
I had learnt to always respect by putting myself in their shoes so that I will
be able to think from their perspective.
Be
Confident!
If you are naturally
a reserved and quiet person like me and find it uncomfortable when placed in a
social setting, then joining extracurricular activities might help you to build
your confidence level. It is a great chance for you to build the courage to
walk out of your cocoon and evolve into a social butterfly that you are born to
be.
Speaking in
front of a public used to be a nerve wrecking experience for me thus I would instinctively
retract from the spotlight. Nonetheless, I realised that the more I put myself
out there and the more I push myself towards meeting new people or volunteering
for leadership or organising roles, then the more confident I will become till
it comes to a point where I find it natural and accustomed to meeting people
and making conversations. The more you do it, the better you get at it.
Nowadays, I thrive in social events and had found enjoyment in meeting new
people and getting to know them better by listening to their experience and at
the same time, sharing my own experiences with them as well.
Always be curious
of the level of your capacity and the heights you can reach and never deny your
capabilities before you had even started. I see many of my peers falling and
getting stuck in the trap of self-doubt as they feared they would fail or make
an embarrassment of themselves. I used to be like that as well but in the end,
nothing else matters more than the experiences, knowledge and skills you will
get from taking on the challenge, regardless of whether or not failure awaits
you.
Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
How much of extracurricular activities is considered too much? Stating the obvious, the first red flag is when you realise that your extracurricular commitments are beginning to take a toll on your studies. If your extracurricular commitments are making it difficult for you to cope with your studies or if you are missing out time on catching up, it is possibly a signal for you to hold back and reprioritise your commitments. Do not hesitate to give up your extracurricular commitments for your studies as it has to be stressed again, studies should be your top priority as qualification grades really do matter when it comes to getting better job opportunities.
Most importantly, always formulate your own opinions and conclusions on what you think will be the best for you. I feel that it had gotten so competitive lately, especially for law students and a burden was placed on our shoulders to excel better than our peers, even before we finish our studies. Rather than taking up extracurricular commitments with a purpose, we sometimes felt pressured into taking up extracurricular activities just because everyone is doing so. In conclusion, what I realised and regretted not doing, is having conversations with my inner self; asking myself what I want before I kickstart my pursue.
Take up an
activity of your interest.
The good
news is that nowadays there are a variety of selections of extracurricular
activities for a college/university student to choose from. Thinking about
improving your leadership skills or wanting to learn more on organisational
management? You could be a part of a student government; or why not take part
in volunteer work and community service where you can dedicate your time
helping the less fortunate by bringing some joy to their lives. Taking up
internships or starting a part-time job is also a great way to enrich your days
as a university student. It is a great idea to pick up a sport as well and to
join an athletic team. Playing sports is not only a great fun and gives you a
healthy flush, but it also fosters important life values such as teamwork,
integrity and discipline in a person. All in all, there is a variety of choices
to choose from and no doubt, you will be able to find something that suits you
the best.
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