Getting Involved!
Being an online student has a ton of perks. Unfortunately, a lot of extra-curricular activities provided for you is not one of them. However, you can create your own extra-curriculars with just a little extra time and effort. Although every place has different things to offer, there are so many opportunities everywhere. So let’s all get off the couch, away from a screen, and do something!
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
COMMUNITY SERVICE. The world is a hurting place. You don’t have to live in a third world country or inner-city Chicago to know that. You can find people to help right where you are. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, visit patients in a nursing home, get involved in the reading program for kids at your local library. Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or outreach programs through a church are also great ways to get involved and make a difference.
SPORTS. In every city, there are community sports leagues. These leagues involve popular sports such as basketball or baseball, but also may involve sports you’ve never heard of (pickleball, anyone?). These leagues are for all ages and if you look you can find a group that is right for you. Sports leagues are a great way to get out of the house and get some exercise while having fun and meeting new people.
FIND A HOBBY. There are groups for everything you could possibly think to do. Are you interested in politics? Try Young Politicians of America. Love nature? There’s probably a bird watching or gardening club in your area. Take swimming or dance lessons. The list could go on and on because there are so many ways you could get involved. You simply need to take initiative to find out what is in your area.
4H. In case you were wondering, the four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. This program is all about developing young people into responsible, caring, capable citizens. Depending on where you are, 4H might be a great opportunity for you. It is a nationwide program that was established by the Department of Agriculture and focuses on building leadership qualities and life skills in kids and young adults. There are many opportunities within this program, you can learn to sew, be a photographer, bake, knit, collect stamps, or carve wood. You can do anything; it all depends on where your interests lie. This is another way to make great friends and learn new skills.
Besides learning new skills and meeting new people, another perk of getting involved comes when you apply for college. Colleges look at your extra-curricular activities and it can be the difference between an acceptance letter and a “better luck next time.” It also makes you a more likely candidate for scholarships.
Regardless of what your interests are, you can find something to get involved in. If you don’t know what you are interested in, why not try something new? The opportunities are waiting, you just have to get out and find them.
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