How Many Extracurricular Activities Should You Have for College?
Alright. So we're diving into something I know a lot of parents think about a lot, college admissions.
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 1:It can be honestly a little overwhelming
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Especially when you're trying to, you know, juggle everything else, work and family and all that. But we're gonna unpack some advice from this blog post we found about extracurricular activities Yeah. And how they can actually really impact your kids' chances of getting into their, you know, dream school.
Speaker 2:Well and you know what's so interesting to me about this whole topic is that it really shows how what colleges are looking for is changing. It's not so much about, like, checking off all the boxes anymore. It's more about, can you show that you have a real passion for something and that you've actually, you know, done something with it, made an impact?
Speaker 1:Yeah. You know, it's funny you say that because I feel like we hear from parents all the time who are just they feel like their kids have to do everything. You know, every club, every sport, volunteer every weekend.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Like, if their schedule is intact, they're somehow behind.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely. And it's understandable. I mean, you want the best for your kid. Right? And college admissions are so competitive these days.
Speaker 2:It's easy to get caught up in thinking that more is always better.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But this blog post, it actually takes a different approach. It really focuses on quality over quantity when it comes to extracurriculars.
Speaker 1:I think that's gotta be such a relief for parents to hear. So let's break that down a little. What does quality over quantity actually, you know, look like when we're talking about this?
Speaker 2:Okay. So instead of pushing your kid to join every single club, it's more about helping them figure out, like, what are they really interested in? What are their goals? And then focusing on a few activities that really fit with those things so they can really, you know, dive in and excel in those areas.
Speaker 1:So it's more about going deep in a few things rather than just kinda spreading themselves thin across a ton of different clubs. Yeah. But that takes a lot of pressure off.
Speaker 2:Yeah. For sure. The blog post actually suggests like, a sweet spot is something like 3 to 5. Significant activities, you know, for students who are hoping to be competitive applicants.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And this lets them really get involved in those activities, develop their skills, maybe even take on leadership roles, which colleges really look for.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. That totally makes sense. And it actually kinda goes hand in hand with another point that the article makes about aligning extracurriculars with your academic and career aspirations. So, like, for example, if your child is really passionate about, let's say, environmental science, it would make more sense for them to focus on activities that are related to that field. Right?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Because it shows colleges that, you know, they're not just doing things randomly. They have a direction. They have a purpose. They're actually exploring their interests and, like, building a foundation for their future.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And this is where it gets really interesting for me because the article also talks about balance. Balancing, you know, school stuff with things that they're just personally passionate about. It's not just about being a straight 80 student, it's about being, well, a well rounded person.
Speaker 2:Right. That's such a key point because colleges, they're not looking for robots, You know? They want students who bring, you know, different perspectives, different interests, like a spark, a genuine enthusiasm to the campus community.
Speaker 1:So it's not just about, like, listing a bunch of fancy titles on your application. It's more about the impact that your child has had, the skills they've learned, and really what they've learned from those experiences.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Exactly. It's about helping them tell a story with their activities, a story that shows their passions, how they've grown, their potential. So for instance, let's say your kid joins the debate team. Right?
Speaker 1:That's right.
Speaker 2:Instead of just saying, oh, I was a member, they could talk about how they helped their team win a competition or how they mentored younger students. That shows leadership and, like, a deeper level of engagement.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It's not just about showing up. It's about, you know Right. Really doing something.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Making a difference. And that actually brings up another important thing about extracurriculars. It's not just about doing them. It's about how you show them off on your college application.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:You know, it's not enough for your child to have done these amazing things. They need to be able to explain them in a way that really shows their impact.
Speaker 1:Yep. That makes sense, but I could see how that could be tough. Yeah. Especially for teenagers who, you know, aren't always the best at talking about themselves.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that's where you as parents can really step in and help. You know, help them think about their activities, what skills they've built, and how those experiences have shaped who they are.
Speaker 1:Okay. So what are some, like, practical tips that we can use to help our kids do that, you know, to really make their extracurricular stand out?
Speaker 2:Well, first off, encourage them to go beyond just listing what they did. You know, instead of saying, oh, I volunteered at the soup kitchen. Help them focus on what they achieved, what were the results. So maybe instead, they say, I volunteered x number of hours at the soup kitchen, and I helped to streamline the food distribution process.
Speaker 1:Right. So it's about, like, painting a picture of how involved they were and, you know, what difference they made.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And another tip is to encourage them to talk about leadership skills.
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:You know, colleges love to see students who take initiative, show responsibility, and can inspire others. So if your child has held any leadership positions, make sure they highlight those.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That's a good point. It's not just about participating. It's about taking charge, showing that potential. But what about kids who haven't had, like, a formal leadership title?
Speaker 1:Can they still show those qualities?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Leadership comes in a lots of different forms. Maybe they mentored younger students or took the lead on organizing a fundraiser or maybe they came up with a new project for their club. It's about helping them see those moments where they showed leadership even if it wasn't, you know, in a traditional way.
Speaker 1:I like that. It's about helping them own those experiences.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And don't forget about showing growth and development over time. Colleges want to see how students have changed and grown through their activities. Have they taken on more responsibility, developed new skills, overcome challenges?
Speaker 1:So it's not just the end result, it's the whole journey. It's about helping them tell that story of how they've grown and learned.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Encourage them to think about how their involvement has shaped them, you know, their values, their perspective, their goals.
Speaker 1:You know, thinking about all this, it seems like it really comes down to encouraging our kids to just be themselves, to be authentic in their applications.
Speaker 2:You got it. Colleges can spot a generic application from a mile away.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:What makes a student stand out is showing their personality, their passions, their unique contributions.
Speaker 1:So it's about helping them find their voice and tell their story in a way that's both compelling and real.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about connecting the dots between their activities, their interests, and what they wanna do in the future.
Speaker 1:This has been so helpful. I feel like we've given our listeners a lot to work with to help their kids navigate this whole world of extracurriculars and present themselves in a way that really stands out.
Speaker 2:I agree. And remember, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. By taking a strategic approach, focusing on quality over quantity, and encouraging your child to follow their passions, you can help them create a story that colleges will love.
Speaker 1:You've given us so much to think about, but I know some parents might still be feeling a little lost Yeah. You know, wondering how to put it all together, especially when they're already juggling so much. It can be a lot to handle.
Speaker 2:I completely understand. And that's where something like college journey can really be a game changer.
Speaker 1:It can feel like a full time job, honestly, just trying to keep up with all the deadlines and everything. So for parents who are, like, feeling overwhelmed by all of this, what can they do to make it a little easier and support their kids without, you know, adding to the stress?
Speaker 2:Well, I think the most important thing is communication, you know. Really encourage your child to talk openly about what they're interested in, their goals, what they're worried about. That way, you can understand where they're coming from and give them the support they need.
Speaker 1:Yeah. I love that. That open communication can make such a difference. It's about making sure your kid feels comfortable sharing what they're thinking and feeling.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And remember, you're not there to tell them what to do. You're there to guide them and help them make their own decisions.
Speaker 1:So finding that balance between being supportive and letting them be independent, which can be tough.
Speaker 2:It can be, but by really listening to your child, respecting who they are, and celebrating what makes them unique, you can help them take ownership of their college journey.
Speaker 1:Okay. That makes sense. But what about the, like, the more practical stuff? You know, all the deadlines, the essays, the financial aid forms. How can parents help their kids stay organized without making it even more stressful?
Speaker 2:That's a great question. One thing that can be really helpful is creating a calendar or a checklist together, you know, with all the important dates and deadlines. That way, everyone's on the same page and you can avoid those last minute scrambles.
Speaker 1:I like that. It's like having a road map.
Speaker 2:Right. And another good tip is to encourage your child to start working on their applications early. Don't wait till the last minute to write those essays or get recommendation letters. Spreading out the work over time will make it less stressful and give them more time to really think things through.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It's all about breaking those big tasks down into smaller pieces.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Just makes it feel less overwhelming.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And don't forget to celebrate the small wins along the way. Acknowledge their effort, praise their progress, and make sure they have time to relax and recharge.
Speaker 1:That's so important. It's about enjoying the journey, not just focusing on the end goal.
Speaker 2:You got it. And as we wrap up, I think it's important to remember that you're not alone in this. There are so many resources out there to help you and your child, from school counselors to online communities, and even platforms like College Journey, which uses AI to give personalized guidance every step of the way.
Speaker 1:Well, that's right. College Journey. With their AI guide, Alice, they can be a really great resource for families who are feeling a little lost. They offer personalized recommendations, stress reduction techniques, even financial planning tools, all to make college admissions less stressful and more, I guess, empowering. You can learn more at collegejourney.ai.
Speaker 1:Well, that about wraps up our deep dive for today. We covered a lot from understanding why quality matters more than quantity when it comes to extracurriculars. Just some practical tips for helping your child through the application process. Remember, this doesn't have to be a crazy stressful time. By focusing on what your child is passionate about, celebrating who they are, and finding the right support, you can help them create an application that really showcases their potential.
Speaker 1:And, you know, who knows? Maybe embracing technology like AI can actually make the whole experience more human. Something to think about. Until next time, keep diving deep, and remember, you got this link site.
