Extracurricular activities ...

... and how to choose them.

Today, we live in a society where a degree certificate alone doesn't do any more when applying for your job. Everyone will tell you to take a few jobs, join boards and committees, and find internships and other stuff that makes your curriculum vitae look nicer. Another reason why I post this today is because the new year in college just started and the ambitious people might want some guidance in choosing their extracurricular activities.

Personally, I don't think anything is wrong with some activities besides the studies because they can enrich your social life and they can help you develop aspects of your character. If you happen to hate doing oral presentations in front of groups, it will actually help you if you have to do it in order to show the (financial/whatever) state of your student club to its members. If you get sick at the mere thought of having to talk to people (don't take this too literally), it might actually help if you find a place where you do get in touch with many people without getting too close too soon.

So, what are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an extracurricular activity?

• How much time is it going to cost? Can you still study enough to pass the majority of your exams and write your papers without coming across as THE lazy ass on whatever activity you choose?  If it does cost very much time, can you handle working more and sleeping less? (this is actually a health-related consideration, but still important!)
• How does this activity make you stand out from all other students who are obviously also involved with extracurricular activities? Many students have jobs and/or are on boards and committees for various organisations, so your future employer will see many resumes similar to yours. Unless you have done something more or less exclusive.
• Is it an activity you can enjoy? Most activities require you to be present or available for X amount of time and all the time you invest in your activity can't be spent on other things. With the average schedule of college students, it's better to do something you like, so that your activity gives your positive energy that you can use for further studying or something else. 
• How does this activity add something to my CV? In our department of Pedagogy and Educational Sciences, we have some people who gather interesting activities for their students to do, which are related to our field and help us to get some field-related experience that is like whipped cream on top of your hot chocolate. 

I took all of the above in consideration. I weighed, deliberated, talked about it and thought some more. I didn't want to do anything that could possibly interfere with my lecture schedule (time); I was not the type for having to party and drink on a frequent base (enjoyableness); I wanted to do something that not many people say they do (exclusiveness), and I wanted my activities to be broad yet also related to my major (add to CV). In the end I came across two activities that I am still involved with and still enjoy. I actually made promotion in one of them. 

If you - for whatever reason - don't manage to find something DURING the year, it might be worthwhile searching for summer activities, such as jobs or internships. I did a summer school past summer, which was a course I wanted to do throughout the college year, but it always would interfere with lectures, which made me postpone it. 

Most important is that you choose something that suits you and where your 'colleagues' suit you. I also quit some activities after a while because it just didn't work with me and the others. So, do you agree with this list? Do you think I should add some more? Leave a comment!