One of the exciting things to look forward to in high school is the variety of school clubs that are offered. While each school differs on the clubs you can join, they all present interesting and fun activities to participate in, and an opportunity to become an executive member of the club. Many students, especially those who are ambitious and want a slice of every cake, will join a ton of clubs at the start of the year. The important thing to keep in mind about clubs, however, is that most require commitment, either during lunch or afterschool and that picking too many clubs at the start of the semester can overwhelm you later on. So then, how do you decide which clubs to join?
At the start of the school year, look out for club posters, or explore your club options if your school hosts a club day event. Ask around, take down a list of clubs you might want to join, and then narrow down on your top clubs. To start out, pick your top three clubs first: for example, if you’ve done debate before, try out debate club; if you’re a science enthusiast, give your school’s science club a chance. While it may be difficult to decide, remember that you still have a chance to join other clubs in the following years. So if you’re juggling between Model UN and Junior Achievement as your third option, remember that when you start Grade 11, you’ll have a chance to join different clubs again.
Some clubs demand more commitment than others, and a couple has a selection process in order to be admitted. For example, Amnesty International Club at Western Canada High School has an application process, and a few students are selected each year to join the club. Afterwards, they are expected to remain a part of the group and participate in its activities. Students’ Union, which is a major component of organizing student life, follows a more rigorous application process that also keeps students until graduation. School events are designed and run by students, and the behind-the-scenes planning and processing demand a lot of your time and effort outside of school. Clubs such as Model UN have trips that run during school, and the classes and material you miss are an extra responsibility. Others operate on a drop-in basis; members are not permanent and can come by if they see an event they’re interested in. In this case, joining several clubs that follow this is manageable, as attendance is not mandatory and you can adjust your schedule as you see fit throughout the school year.
If you don’t feel like joining a club, that’s fine too, as there are extracurricular opportunities outside of school as well. However, participating in a club and playing a significant role in it does yield results for yourself. Whether it’s for a resume booster, developing your own skills, or a matter of bragging rights, schools clubs are an invaluable experience and an important part of your high school career!