One of the first pieces of advice incoming high school freshmen tend to hear is to “get involved.” The first time you will most likely hear this advice is during your freshman orientation. Sitting there during your freshman orientation, you aren’t thinking too much about that statement. However, as you journey through your high school years, you will soon understand the importance of getting involved.
Learn about all the organizations your school has to offer! If you attend a big school, this can seem really daunting at first, but most organizations post recruitment flyers in the hallways. Use these as a chance to learn about all of the organizations available; you can even look on your school’s website!
When looking at organizations, try to pick ones that best fit your interests whether that be music, art, history, debate, competitions, etc. Next, contact the advisors or read the flyers to learn how to become a member of the organizations you’re interested in!
Disclaimer! Do not overload your plate - don’t get involved in too many organizations that you may not have the time for because your schoolwork may start to suffer. Instead, find that perfect balance for yourself. Personally, I recommend 2-4 organizations, but this depends on the level of commitment each one requires.
Getting involved on your campus is important because it can prevent burnout - the feeling of exhaustion that comes with the same old school routine. Many students find themselves burnt out when they do not get involved because all they do is go to school, come home and do homework, and then repeat the process all over again 5 days a week for 10 months a year. That gets boring real quick.
Organizations are a great way to spice things up in your academic career! You can maybe stay after school to work on a student council project or possibly go to an art club meeting to paint to release that week’s stress. No matter what organizations you are involved in, it is a great way to add some variety to your week, destress and focus on something other than schoolwork, and help you avoid burnout.
Getting involved is an excellent way to meet new friends and gain new experiences. Most people shudder at the thought of social interaction, but I promise the second you start to feel like you belong within your organization, you’ll meet so many new people and even develop some new friendships!
Several organizations go on field trips or attend conferences with students from other schools, so these are also great opportunities to gain new experiences and meet new people!
Colleges search for well-rounded applicants with a diverse resume. Someone involved in volleyball, student council, and STEM club is more likely to get accepted than someone who simply just went to school everyday. The same goes for scholarships!
Your organization advisor is also an excellent person to write you a letter of recommendation because they have experienced the person who you truly are outside of the classroom and can vouch for your leadership skills and other abilities! In most cases, the advisor of the organization you are most involved in is usually your most influential mentor throughout your educational career.
Lastly, organizations are a great way to develop your leadership skills! From lending a helping hand on a service project your freshman year to leading the organization in a leadership position, getting involved is an excellent tool for personal growth. Whether you’re a shy or outgoing freshmen, there are opportunities for everyone to grow as a person and develop their leadership skills within their school and community.
There are so many benefits to getting involved in high school! From developing leadership skills to having strong college and scholarship applications, the benefits are endless! Just remember to enjoy your high school experience while it lasts. Those four years may seem like a lifetime going in, but they will fly by faster than you know it.
