Importance of super-curricular and extra-curricular activities, and leadership
It is important to recognise that some colleges/universities (especially in the USA, in the UK and some Medicine schools) look carefully at levels of involvement in extra-curricular and super-curricular activities, and leadership.
Super-curricular activities:
Super-curricular activities are activities that you can pursue to get further opportunities in their field of interest. Super-curricular activities will assist you in your chosen career and demonstrate your passion for the subject you want to do at university. Examples (always related to your field of interest) include:
* Reading journals,
* Listening to podcasts,
* Taking MOOCs (Massive open online courses)
* Reading books
* Internships
* Volunteering experiences
* Summer programs
* Field trips
* Extra-curricular activities
* VIS CSE (Clubs, Societies and Extra-curricular activities)
* SA and CAS
To find some additional ideas for super-curricular activities in different fields can be found by clicking the following button:
Extra-curricular activities:
Extra-curricular activities are those activities fall outside the realm of the normal curriculum of school education.
They add to your general scholastic experience. Examples include:
* Student government
* Mentoring / Tutoring
* Participating in school events
* Sports
* Art / Music / Theatre
* Helping the community
* CAS
* ECAs
* School trips
* Voluntary workThe main idea is to show that you’re are someone who has passion, who not only got good grades but who has also made very valuable use of your free time!
Some tips:
1) Analyze your strengths – what makes you unique? Do you like to study more, or are you good at sports? Or do you have creative interests? Are you more of an outdoorsy person, or do you like indoor activities? Are you an introvert or extrovert? Instead of trying too hard to change yourself, just find out what you truly enjoy and where your real strengths lie. Embrace your personality and let your extracurriculars build your unique identity.
2) Make use of your talent! Be proactive and try to take your hobbies to the next level. For example, if you like quizzes, sign up for state or national level competitions. If you like to paint, put up an exhibition. If you like coding, build an app or game. Think creatively about how you can really make it big with your personal interests.
3) Working or volunteering for a non-profit: This is a great idea if you love helping people. You could join a school for underprivileged kids to teach them in your free time, or go to an old age home to spend time with the lonely.
4) Time-management: Pursuing extra-curricular and super-curricular activities shouldn't affect your studies. Keep your study time separate from your free time that you devote to your extra- and super-curricular activities.
5) Summer internships: These are a great way to learn more about a specific career before you take it up. It’ll also help you get experience and build new skills. Additionally, if your employer is impressed, he or she may even give you a letter of recommendation.
Now you have an understanding of the different types of activities and have heard some recommendations. Please bear in mind that the focus should not be on having a long list of activities, but on the quality and your consistent dedication to these. The importance lies in your reflection on these activities (why you have decided to carry these out these, what you have learnt and what skills you have developed).
There are three aspects to analyse:
* Commitment: How long have you being doing that activity? How much time do you commit to it?
* Progression: Have you worked on a particular skill or activity? Can you demonstrate growth over time?
* Leadership: How have you demonstrated leadership? What roles have you held? What qualities do you possess?
When referring to skills, you can find some skills directly related to your course/job of interest, or they could be transferable skills.
Transferable skills:
What are Transferable skills? Transferable skills are skills and abilities that are relevant and helpful across different areas of life: socially, professionally and at school. They are ‘portable skills’.
Employers often look for people who can demonstrate a good set of transferable skills.
The good news is that you already have transferable skills – you’ve developed such skills and abilities throughout your life, at school and perhaps at home and in your social life, as well as through any job or volunteer experiences.
It is often important that you can identify and give examples of the transferable skills that you have developed - this will go a long way to persuading prospective employers and universities that you are right for the job/course/university.
Source: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/general/transferable-skills.html (accessed on 23 February, 2021)