Academics and extracurricular activities are both integral parts of a modern holistic education and you cannot afford to neglect either of them. That being stated, it is important to be able to strike the right balance between the two. Academics is critically important from the point of view of imparting knowledge to students that can help them find a means to earn a living when they complete their education and extracurricular activities are equally important from the point of view of enabling students to grow physically and mentally, as well as learn how to conduct themselves outside the classroom.
People in charge of designing curricula have to ensure that they give the students enough time for both without tiring out the students. Neither activity should impinge upon the other. Academics should not require so much time that there is very little left for extracurricular activities. On the other hand, extracurricular activities should not be so rigorous that students are too tired to focus the way they should do academics.
The Best Ways of Striking a Balance Between Academics and Extracurricular Activities
Develop a Schedule
It is very easy for things to get out of hand in the absence of a schedule. One has to put in place an organised time-table of activities that clearly spells out the amount of time required for academics as well as for extracurricular activities. Once there is clarity about that, it will be easy to find and maintain balance between the two. It may be important to schedule the extracurricular activities based on prioritising academics as that has to be the first priority. That being stated, extracurricular activities are no less important in the growth and developments of the students and cannot be neglected at any cost. Having a schedule in place helps one maintain just the right kind of balance.
Choosing the Right Kind of Extracurricular Activities
While striking a balance between academics and extracurricular activities is always challenging, things do become a lot easier if one chooses extracurricular activities that one is passionate about. That will enable one to make the best use of the time allotted to those activities without it becoming a drag or an impediment to the main activity of academics.
Effective Time Management
Effective time management is the key to International school life balance. What is more important-academics or extracurricular activities. Obviously, the first. That necessitates that one manages one’s time in such a manner that academics get top priority, even while ensuring that there is adequate time left for the all-important extracurricular activities.
Keeping the Teachers and Coaches in the Loop
Striking and maintaining a balance between academics and extracurricular activities is a lot easier if both teachers and coaches are kept in the loop about the demands on the students’ time vis-a-vis academics and extracurricular activities. That will allow them to extend full support to the students to manage their workload.
Taking care of oneself
Taking care of oneself by getting enough sleep and exercise helps one manage the demands on one’s time in terms of academics and extracurricular activities. Self care will help one have the energy and focus to manage both well and efficiently.
How GIIS Abu Dhabi Helps Students balance academics and extracurricular activities
Global Indian International School Abu Dhabi attaches tremendous importance to extracurricular and co-curricular activities as a means to help children do better academically and personally. Besides, it helps them to discover their interests and passions in life that lie outside the realm of academics. That apart, it inculcates in them values like sportsmanship and camaraderie. It teaches them how to work as part of a team.
The school boasts a diverse range of extracurricular and co-curricular activities like swimming, taekwondo, clay making and needlework that take into account the diverse interests of the students. At the same time, they structure the activities in a manner that the children are able to manage both their studies and activities in the best possible manner. There is no overlap and academics does not come in the way of extracurricular activities and vice versa.
Conclusion
While it is accepted wisdom that academics and extracurricular activities go hand in hand in ensuring that students learn, grow and develop in the best possible way, it is important to strike the right balance between the two to ensure that students benefit from both. Both the activities are terribly important for the students, but you cannot have one at the expense of the other.
While academics is the more important of the two activities, extracurricular activities do need to be accorded sufficient importance too. Therefore, it is incumbent upon School Admission arthritis to structure the two activities based on effective time management and the interest and aptitude of the students concerned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Balance Extracurricular Activities And School?
Students have to realise that while both academics and extracurricular activities have to be an integral part of their day to day life, they have to learn to manage both in a manner that one does not interfere with the other. That requires time management as well as choosing an activity that does not become a chore or drag on. Choosing something that one is passionate about is always a good idea, as not only would one easily make time for it, but also get done with it faster.
What Are The Factors Affecting Student Participation in Extracurricular Activities?
The factors impacting student participation in extracurricular activities are the time they get off from academics and choosing the right kind of activity that aligns with their interests. If they figure out the time management and the choice of an activity that matches their aptitude, they are sorted.
How Much Extracurricular Activity is Important Beside Academics?
Extracurricular activities while being important have to be indulged in a manner that aids in the development and growth of a student, rather than become a stumbling block. Considering how important academics are, one should participate in these activities to the extent that they keep one fresh and energetic physically and mentally. They can hardly become the primary reason for a student to go to School .
What is More Important, Academics or Extracurricular?
The primary focus for the majority of the students is academics as that enhances one’s chances of finding employment on completing one’s education. Extracurricular activities on the other hand have a more limited role that involves keeping the students mentally and physically fit, as well as developing their social skills. It is only students with exceptional sporting or artistic abilities who can turn their gifts into a profession, who might accord greater priority to extracurricular activities.
