This refers to an additional (not core) activity performed by a student at a K-12 school or institution of higher education. Common co-curricular activities are sports, vibrantly pursuing the arts in the form of drawing, singing, etc. Unlike what some may think, co-curricular activities aren’t just about after-school sports. The spectrum of such activities on offer is pretty extensive. These activities allow students at every level to pursue almost anything they are passionate about or interested in – from languages to music to technology. Thus, they’re essential in promoting the students’ holistic development.
Though co-curricular activities take place outside the classroom, they supplement or reinforce the classroom curriculum in some way or the other. Some examples of such activities could be the student council, National Honor Society, math clubs, spelling bees, school newspapers, mock trials, debates, talent shows, chess clubs, drama productions, and writing competitions, etc. All these activities are ungraded and don’t offer any academic credit. Yet, they provide the students with complementary and supplementary learning of some form. For instance, when a student gets involved with the student council, they could discover their leadership qualities and get opportunities to hone them.
Co-curricular activities are an essential part of setting up a culture of support, excellence, and personalization for the students beyond the classroom. When students participate in such activities, they enjoy several benefits. For instance, involvement in co-curricular activities helps students discover their talents and strengths beyond academics. They also teach them time-management and organizational skills along with the importance of completing the tasks they have committed to.
Co-curricular activities help build confidence and boost self-esteem. They also encourage teamwork and give students the chance to build bonds with people outside their regular circle of classroom friends. As they get the opportunity to meet, talk, and work with students from different backgrounds who have varying perspectives, the students’ own viewpoints also widen. Participating in co-curricular activities is also an effective way to keep students creatively occupied and supervised beyond school hours. By directing their energies toward something positive and creative, co-curricular activities help the students steer clear of drug abuse or crime. For students’ college applications or school transcripts, their involvement in co-curricular activities would look good.
In short, co-curricular activities boost students’ sense of self-efficacy and give them a positive outlook on life. This, in turn, has far-reaching effects on students’ participation in class, attendance, and overall academic performance.
