Beyond Academic Experience

A truly educational experience gets its stamp of completion when students make the most of the ‘extracurricular’ activities while at the University that helps them develop and demonstrate relevant skills and interests. The significance of extracurricular activities on college campuses is well established and pay attention to the individual student level, the institutional level, and the broader community level. The range of extracurricular activities varies extensively because of the diverse interests of college students, depending upon the size and type of college/university.

These activities range from social organisations to governance organisations to intercollegiate athletic programmes; including sports, public speaking, special interest groups, arts, political, educational, environmental, community or church activities. Students must be encouraged to look for and engage in groups and activities that best suits their interests and academic/professional goals. Diverse groups of individuals, working outside of the classroom, allow for students to gain more self-confidence, autonomy, and appreciation for others' differences and similarities.

Adding a rich layer to a student’s time at the university, extra-curricular activities offer perfect opportunities for students to socialise with their fellow students, engaging in sports or other activities, volunteering in the community or taking on leadership positions, enhancing communication and inter-personal skills.

Extra-curricular activities exist to complement the university's academic curriculum and to enhance the student's educational experience. While internships and work experience offer a glimpse of the working world, societies, unions and clubs too contribute to personal growth, contributing to a rich university experience to the students. Developing skills specific to their respective career paths is something that is imperative for future job success and extracurricular involvement allows students to link academic knowledge with practical experience, thereby leading to a better understanding and clarity of their own abilities, talents, and career goals. Potential employers seek individuals with these increased skill levels, making these students accessible to more lucrative opportunities in the job market.

However, it should be noted that indulging in extra-curricular activities could be apart from sports and social possibilities. For instance, if there isn’t a society for what you’re seeking, you can always set one up!

Student involvement in extracurricular activities also impacts educational attainment. Ernest T. Pascarella and Patrick T. Terenzini's 1991 research indicates that extracurricular involvement has a positive impact on attaining a bachelor's degree and on educational aspirations. Students who are actively engaged are more likely to have higher educational ambitions than uninvolved students.

One of Canada’s best known institutions of higher learning, McGill University has over 250 activities, clubs, and services that students may join. With regards to exploring extra-curricular interests, Oxford University offers students a multitude of opportunities from getting involved in Oxford’s world-famous rowing teams to pursuing artistic and musical interests. Established on the academic pattern of the Ivy League Universities of the USA, Apeejay Stya University campus, too, bustles with creative and innovative students who find their own unique voices and means of expression through the various clubs managed by the students. These clubs cater to a wide range of interests, including music, dance, dramatics, fine arts, photography, literature, yoga and meditation, and many others. The clubs provide students an interactive platform through which they can engage with like-minded peers and evolve in the course of mutual learning. In the times to come, ASU plans to add a range of clubs and activities to its portfolio – aiming to serve the ever-changing and growing interests of students, aiding them to attain holistic development and personalities.

However, such involvement should not be overdone or the so-called ‘over indulgence’ must not creep in! Whatever one takes up shouldn’t replace or sideline one’s degree! Interestingly, in an article written by Nick Collins for ‘The Telegraph’, dated August 27, 2010, carries the title – ‘Universities uninterested in pupils' extra-curricular activities’. Mentioned in the same article, a spokeswoman for Cambridge had expressed, “All admissions decisions are based on academic criteria, and excellence in an extra-curricular activity will never 'compensate' for lower academic potential.”

Nevertheless, the ‘extra’ edge provided by such constructive involvement in recreational activities certainly aids students in standing out from the crowd when applying for jobs or participating in interviews. Not to forget that employers love to see them on a resume!