“I’m so busy.”
“I need to work.”
“I don’t get any summer.”
These are lines I (too often) hear when students in high school decide to stop doing an activity. It’s something that seems to be increasing every year.
Let’s review a little history, shall we? When many of you reading this grew up (and the same holds for me), we had 3-4 channels on the television set, no thought of this internet idea, and we played our sports during their designated seasons, though the occasional pick-up game or open gym might happen along.
We got home from school or practice and likely had a list of chores to complete, along with our homework. We might watch the new episode of our favorite show and might even call someone on the phone to talk; that is, if the party line wasn’t already in use.
In the summer, we had even more chores to do and might get a job helping a farmer walk beans, bale hay, etc. We’d spend more time on the phone and probably biked to friends’ houses to hang out. Ballgames occupied many of our evenings.
When we reached the age of 16, some of us got jobs. It was very important that our jobs were flexible around our activity schedules. For example, I worked stocking shelves at a local grocery store. The truck came in Mondays, Wednsedays, and Fridays. We could report at 6:00 and would work as a crew until the job was done. If I had a late practice or a game, I was allowed to come when those were done. Weekends were when I’d get a seven or eight hour shift in to pay for that under-a-dollar gallon of gas.
In college, I realized I needed to try to find more hours to work since all this schooling was costing a lot of money. Still, the idea of only working and going to class didn’t seem like enough, so I helped re-form and was part of the Winona State pep band. It seemed like a fun little thing at the time.
All these things are resume builders. Being in sports, having a job, participating in band, both high school and college. It was important when I applied for scholarships, and it was important when I applied for jobs. Becoming part of the National Honor Society required that I do more than just earn good grades. If my resume just had a good GPA but nothing else, it wouldn’t help much when matched up against people who were also involved.
Studies show that students in high school who are involved in at least one extra-curricular activity have a GPA that averages close to one point higher than those who do not. Yet, more and more, I hear students talk about not wanting to take part in activities because of the reasons at the start of my column.
I wonder how old they’ll be before they regret those decisions.
Sometimes there are legitimate reasons not to be involved. Some kids have to get a job to help with household expenses due to family situations. Sometimes a student has too much on his or her plate already and needs to lighten the load for fear of burnout. Sometimes a medical condition or injury forces somebody away from a sport.
But when I hear about kids not wanting to be in marching band because it takes away their whole summer? Not even close. There are a couple weeks of rehearsals, a few hours a day, and a half-dozen parades, two of which are for our local communities. Sure, if you’re in sports that have summer camps, your days can fill up in June, but that’s a good thing. Many kids today don’t have the same level of responsibilities at home as there used to be. Loading and unloading the dishwasher is not quite the same as actually washing and drying dishes, after all.
If you truly don’t like a sport any more, then don’t play. I get it: with year-round expectations for some, kids can get sick of even something they might enjoy. But to hear some say that they like a sport but it takes too much time is disheartening. Sure, sports like basketball and wrestling are long seasons, but they are great things to appear on that resume because you show perseverance and dedication.
I want students to find success in school and, eventually, in life. Be a part of something. Marching band, knowledge bowl, speech, and various clubs in school are all great items for a resume and also great opportunities to grow as a person and maybe to meet people who have similar interests to you. I love sports, but know they’re not for everyone, so try other things, too.
Work if you want to; it can be a great learning experience to balance a job with school and with other activities. But don’t choose that at such an early age that you’re wishing you had some of your youth back when you get older.
Pep band in college involved some work. We had rehearsals and were expected to be at all the home basketball games. It was a time commitment. But you know what? When I got hired at NRHEG, Mr. Lorenz told me that line on my resume stood out because I was involved in something that not many people would do in college.
You never know what might get you that job interview someday. Why not try some things, stick to some other activities, and live a full life? I’ve never heard anyone say they regretted being in band or a sport after high school was done and work took over. Most of us wish we could still do those things!
Word of the Week: This week’s word is ochlophobia, which is a fear or dislike of crowds, as in, “She decided not to be part of marching band after being diagnosed with ochlophobia, but she kept playing her instrument.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!