Once enrolled, university students frequently struggle with the challenge of balancing their academic studies with extracurricular activities. It goes without saying that they need to prioritise education in order to lay a solid foundation for future employment. However, on a university campus, I believe it is equally important for students to engage in extracurricular activities in order to acquire competencies that cannot be taught in the classroom.
On the one hand, even though academic achievement is the focal point of university life, studying to the exclusion of all other activities is likely to result in a series of issues. Long hours of study may be harmful to one's health if they are not balanced by regular physical activity. Then, students must engage in adequate exercise and social activities to maintain their fitness and well-being. In addition, a lack of balance between work and leisure can leave a person unmotivated; therefore, extracurricular activities, such as recreational activities, can re-energize students and allow them to concentrate more effectively afterwards.
On the other hand, non-academic extracurricular activities deliver young people the opportunity to gain personal experience and the myriad skills necessary for personal development. Enrolling in organisations, volunteering for community projects, and serving on student councils allow students to interact with others, form social networks, and develop interpersonal communication skills. When confronted with obstacles, they will learn to interact, negotiate, and collaborate to solve real-world problems. All of these skills are beneficial for their careers on the labour market, but they are difficult to acquire through textbook study.
In conclusion, I believe that full-time college students must participate in both academic and extracurricular activities. Academic performance is important, but students should be encouraged to participate in a variety of activities that will enhance their social skills and better prepare them for life in modern society.
