To complement your course of study, you may decide to join a group or club associated with your academic interests. The benefits of this include adding to your knowledge and getting to know other people within your area of study. Joining such a group does not necessarily mean just sitting around and doing more studying; it can bring an academic subject to life. For example, if you are majoring in history, consider joining a historical re-enactment society.
Many different types of people attend college, meaning your college years are a perfect opportunity for mixing with people from a variety of backgrounds. By joining an extra-curricular group or club you have the chance to mature socially through interaction with students who you may not have met through classes alone. Not only do extra-curricular activities give you the opportunity to interact with more people, but also to potentially form long-lasting relationships with some of them.
Extra-curricular activities can facilitate your personal development and improve your general well-being. Just by taking time out to relax and do something different from studying you can decrease your stress levels and gain some perspective on your academic workload. Speaking with other students who have a similar workload or pressures can keep you from feeling isolated. By communicating with others on a regular, informal basis you may enhance your emotional intelligence, become more familiar with social cues and generally improve your cognitive abilities and behavior.
Joining a sports team or exercise class can help improve your health and fitness. Playing sports, doing aerobics or learning to dance is not just about losing weight; in fact it does not necessarily have to be about losing weight at all. Exercise can also increase your stamina, reduce stress, decrease cholesterol levels and blood pressure, tone your body, help you sleep at night and reduce the risk of certain illnesses and diseases. Playing in a team or joining a class has the added benefit of potentially being more fun than working out on your own.
Extra-curricular activities can help you build skills and gain experience that will be useful to you in your graduate career both in terms of job searching and performance at work. Participation in activities such as debating, campaigning, volunteering or even the running of your own extra-curricular club can develop your negotiation, communication, conflict management and leadership skills. Getting involved in activities connected with your ideal career may also enhance your resume and impress potential employers.