Finding extracurricular activities that you care about

August 7, 2012

Many a prospective student of higher education has suffered through a mind-numbingly boring weekend of community service for the sake of college admissions. Extracurricular activities shouldn't be tests of endurance, however, they should be passions that you pursue beyond the bounds of school - proof of your interests, ambitions and even intellect!

Tips for getting into college will vary from easy to difficult, and this can be one of the more challenging. Consider this list of ideas to help you out along your path to finding that ideal college application bonus.

1. Make a list. Sometimes we're not even sure where our passions lie. Before you go searching for yours online or via your guidance counselor, why not sit down and make a list of the things you enjoy and care about. Like dogs? Write that down. Feel strongly about religious tolerance? Include it! Lists are a great way of taking the abstract and giving it shape.

2. Begin your search. Follow up on your interests by talking to teachers, friends, parents and a variety of other sources. If you have an interest in law enforcement or town politics, you may want to call up the local police department or city hall and check in about internship opportunities.

3. Put your heart into it. The searching, that is. Before you devote your spare time to something, be sure you really want to do it. Don't dress up a lack of interest for the sake of college admissions, because your time is worth more than that.

4. Talk to friends. One rule of even the most banal activities (because there will always be banal activities, even with the best extracurriculars) is that it's always more fun with a friend. Whether you're helping out with a summer theater workshop or beautifying a park, rope a friend in too.

5. Embark on your own. Can't find the Junior Robotics League or Novel-writing Club you really wanted to join yourself? Start one! There are plenty of opportunities out there and plenty of other folks with similar interests looking for their own college extracurricular activities. Being a co-founder or president doesn't look too shabby on an application either.

6. Don't let academics suffer. Remember that extracurricular activities are just that - extra. If your GPA suffers, you may want to spend a bit more time on school work. 

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