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40% of colleges weigh high school students’ extracurricular activities as moderately to considerably important. They’re more important than your AP scores, portfolio, interview, and work experience.</p>
<p>But, what high school extracurricular activities should you choose? First, let’s explain what they are, and then we’ll show you how to choose extracurricular activities.</p>
<h2>What are Extracurricular Activities in High School?</h2>
<p>High school extracurricular activities are the <em>extra </em>things you do outside of the classroom that aren’t required for graduation. In general, this includes activities like playing sports, joining a club, performing in the marching band, creating the set for your school’s musical, and volunteering. Extracurriculars give you the chance to connect with other students, do something you enjoy, help others, and/or try something new.</p>
<p>A lot of students choose extracurriculars sponsored by their high school, but you don’t have to. Volunteering at a food bank is just as much an extracurricular activity as joining your high school’s Spanish club.</p>
<p>Here are the main types of extracurricular activities in high school and some examples:</p>
<ol>
<li>Volunteering & Philanthropy—Volunteering at a soup kitchen, tutoring, fundraising, etc.</li>
<li>Athletics—Playing on a school or community sports team, coaching a sports team, etc.</li>
<li>Academics—Debate team, mathletes, Science Olympiad, student government, French club, school newspaper, etc.</li>
<li>Hobbies—Crocheting club, anime club, piano lessons, musical theatre, etc.</li>
<li>Religious & cultural—Teaching/leading kids at your religious institution</li>
</ol>
<p><img src=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/asset.plexuss.com/news/images/how-to-choose-extracurricular-activities.jpg" alt="How to Choose Extracurricular Activities" width="400" height="250" /></p>
<h2>How to Choose Extracurricular Activities in High School</h2>
<p>Since there are so many options out there, it can be hard and overwhelming to choose high school extracurriculars. Follow the tips below and you’ll be well on you way toward answering the question, <em>what clubs should I join in high school?</em></p>
<h4>Accept that there are no “best high school extracurricular activities”</h4>
<p>Accept that no high school extracurricular activity is necessarily better than any other. There’s no set-in-stone magical answer to the question, <em>what are good extracurricular activities for college</em><em>? </em></p>
<p>Colleges aren’t scanning your resume looking for the names of certain organizations. They won’t count it against you if you joined debate team instead of Science Olympiad. Colleges really just look to see that you did more than just go to class.</p>
<h4>Change your thought process </h4>
<p>Instead of focusing on <em>what you think a college wants to see</em>, focus on <em>what you want to do</em>. What do you want to get out of your high school experience? Consider how different extracurricular activities can help you achieve that goal.</p>
<p>Here are some examples of goals you might have:</p>
<ul>
<li>Prepare for my college major or future career</li>
<li>Earn a sports scholarship for college</li>
<li>Help others in the community</li>
<li>Make a difference in my high school</li>
</ul>
<p>Let your goals guide you as you narrow down activity options. For example, if your goal is to make a difference in your high school, you might want to join student government, mentor incoming freshmen, or tutor your fellow students. If you care most about preparing for your <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/college-majors/study-health-professions">medical career</a>, training to become an EMT would suit your goals.</p>
<h2>Look for three types of high school extracurriculars</h2>
<p>Ideally, when you look at your list of extracurricular activities, you want to see the following—something you’re passionate about, <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/benefits-of-volunteering-in-high-school">something you do that helps others</a>, and something that you enjoy. A single activity could fulfill all three things.</p>
<ul>
<li>Something you’re passionate about</li>
</ul>
<p>When choosing an activity, your top priority should be choosing something you care about. If that’s dogs, go volunteer at the animal shelter. If that’s reading, start a book club at your high school or volunteer at the library. If you’re passionate about running, then join the cross-country team.</p>
<p>Why is it so important to pick something you care about? Colleges want to see that did more than just sit at meetings and listen. If you choose an activity you care about, you’ll be more motivated to participate. When you’re highly motivated, you’re more likely to learn, get involved, and assume a leadership role—all things that help you stand out to colleges.</p>
<ul>
<li>Something you do that helps others</li>
</ul>
<p>Find something to do during high school that allows you to give back to others. This might mean starting a new activity or incorporating community service into your existing activities.</p>
<p>Here are a few examples of extracurricular activities in high school where you can make a positive impact:</p>
<ul>
<li>Tutoring elementary school students</li>
<li>Coaching a youth sports team</li>
<li>Becoming an active member of your religious organization</li>
<li>Mentoring freshmen at your high school</li>
<li>Joining a club associated with a non-profit like American Red Cross Club or Habitat for Humanity Club</li>
<li>Volunteering at the local senior citizens center</li>
</ul>
<p>If your current activities don’t give back, you could make it so that they do. Creating community service opportunities for your club shows great initiative. Here are a few ways to make it happen:</p>
<ul>
<li>Athletes could start collecting canned goods at home games to benefit the local foodbank</li>
<li>Band members could volunteer with the middle school marching band</li>
<li>National Honor Society members could host a breakfast for senior citizens or a free babysitting night for single parents</li>
<li>Art club members could sell pieces of artwork to raise funds for a local non-profit</li>
<li>Something that you enjoy</li>
</ul>
<p>Doing something you’re passionate about and making a positive impact are priorities number one and two. Priority three is simple—do something that you enjoy. High school is stressful and extracurricular activities provide a fun outlet for students.</p>
<p>Join anime club to meet others with shared interests or join art club just because your friends are in it. You’ll learn something, make friends, and unwind. Plus, you can still put these activities on your college resume. It shows colleges a little bit more about you, helping them decide if you seem like a good fit for their campus.</p>
<h3>Don’t overload yourself</h3>
<p>As a rule of thumb, colleges like to see at least two extracurricular activities on your <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/boost-high-school-resume">high school resume</a>. This shows that you can handle juggling multiple tasks, which is an important characteristic of a <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/how-to-be-a-successful-college-student">successful college student</a>.</p>
<p>In terms of the maximum number you should join, there isn’t one. Just know that yes, colleges like well-rounded students, but they also like students that have good judgement. Don’t overload yourself to the point where you aren’t excelling at anything. Working your way up to editor of the school newspaper looks more impressive than being a member of six different clubs with no leadership position. Similarly, your extracurricular successes shouldn’t come at the expense of your grades. Only take on what you can handle.</p>
<h3>Start early and stay committed</h3>
<p>Colleges look favorably upon leadership experience, but it’s hard to gain when you join a new club senior year. We recommend starting activities as a freshman or sophomore and sticking with them. This sets you up to move into a leadership position by your junior or senior year.</p>
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