Students involved in extracurricular activities typically have improved confidence and self-esteem. Extracurricular activities such as sports, choir, drama and academic clubs bring students' talents and strengths to the forefront, showing them what heights they are capable of reaching and putting them on display for family and friends. Students are required to work as a team and come to realize they are dependable and capable.
The interdependence of extracurricular activities requires students to improve their communication skills. They have to agree upon meeting times, as well ideas for shows and other events. Students learn to communicate feedback to one another in a manner that is constructive and supportive and occasionally seek advice and mentoring from each other in additional areas of their lives. Students learn to trust each other and communicate openly.
Learning conflict-resolution skills is an integral part of extracurricular activities, especially for students who have assumed leadership roles. Students have to find a way to squash arguments over personality clashes and power struggles, as well as to choose the best solution when members have various ideas about how to proceed on a specific task. Students learn how to listen to each other, how to assume peaceful and supportive body language and how to determine what is best for the collective rather than the individual.
Extracurricular activities are also important because they teach students time management. Students must find enough time to participate in their activities, attend school, do their homework and maintain high grades, spend quality time with friends and family and get adequate sleep. This is a skill that can serve a student for life.
Participation in extracurricular activities provides additional benefits when it comes to getting into college, as well as impressing potential employers. Admissions boards and interviewers equate extracurricular activities with an individual's ability to handle responsibility, multitask, lead peers and function in a team environment.