As my senior year in Highschool is coming to end, I have found myself reflecting over the past four years and how much I have changed since the beginning. From the start of high school to the end, I am happy with the person I have become. I credit most of my growth to the extracurriculars I was a part of over the past four years which are a big part of who I am today. This realization has helped me come up with a list of what qualities to look for when choosing clubs and activities to join in college.

1. Pushes you out of your comfort zone

If your activity doesn’t force you out of your comfort zone, it won’t help you grow as a person. You have to step out of your comfort zone to learn new things and improve who you are.

2. Helps you meet new people and build more connections

Meeting people and making friends is always fun. It always helps to have connections- you never know when you might need it in the future!

3. Allow you to experience new things

You only have one life. Live it to the fullest.

4. Teaches you something new about the world/the people around you

Try to join a club which will inform you about different problems in the world or teach you something about different cultures. It especially helps with learning to keep an open mind in a country where we interact with people from all over the world on a daily basis.

5. Allows you to see things from a different perspective

This kind of goes off of my last point, but sometimes we get so used to seeing things our way, it helps to learn other people’s opinions and learn more. This could be through an ethics club or debate club or even writing for a newspaper.

6. Gives you an opportunity to express yourself

In today’s divided climate, it is important to have a voice. Even if what you want to share is not political, your voice is important. Share what you have in mind. Be who you are and share who you are with others.

7. Gives you an opportunity to give back to your community and make a difference

Our community is always giving to us. It is nice to give back to a community which has given so much to you - whether it is volunteering at a hospital, a senior living house, or the library.

8. Gives you an opportunity to work with a team

Teamwork is one of the most important skills to have. In the professional world, teamwork is unavoidable. Joining a club which allows you to work with a team will help you learn ways to better cooperate with and work with others.

9. Adds to your skill set

I don’t mean like learning about the world around or teamwork, I mean skills that will help at school or college or at work. For example, becoming a more confident public speaker, becoming a better writer or learning how to take more professional picture.

10. Allows you to have fun and breathe

In our stressful schedules, we need time to unwind and enjoy doing the things we like with people we like.