Benefits of extracurricular activities

STEVE MARK

Kylie Soble

Solon High School

We are overjoyed and so proud of all that you have accomplished! We can’t wait to see what’s in store for you in the future! The University of Miami is lucky to have you! Go Canes!

We love you, Mom, Dad and Morgan

e University of Miami

Max Moses

Solon High School

Max,

You have worked so hard all of these years and we are all a witness to your success. Keep reaching for the stars, working hard, and be your best self. We can’t wait to watch the next steps in your journey. We love you and are proud of you.

Mazel Tov.

Mom Dad & Jake

If you believe in statistics, numbers show students who are involved in extracurricular activities excel better in terms of academic performance.

Since the early 1930s, research has showed that students in extracurriculars have higher grades and better test scores than students who do not.

A 2018 study by Researchgate showed “students tend to perform better in their studies and score good grades. As their mindset gets stimulated by the participation in activities, their exam results and educational attainment gets improved.”

Apparently, parents have taken notice, and the latest US Census bears out this trend:

In 2020, 37% of girls ages 6 to 17 were involved in extracurricular activity, compared to 33.5% in 1998. Twentyseven percent of boys were involved in extracurriculars, compared to 24% two decades earlier.

Maureen Eppich, who runs Jump Start Gymnastics in Beachwood, speaks from experience. Her best case study is her daughter, Lysia Cook, who took up gymnastics at 7 years old and later competed in diving.

“She went to a challenging high school and a challenging undergrad program, and now she’s getting her doctorate (at Chatham University in Pittsburgh),” Eppich said. “She developed some really good habits and it paid o for her.”

Eppich has seen similar results with others who attend her program.

“When a student is doing any type of activity, two to ve times a week, those children learn how to budget their time, discipline themselves and create priorities,” she said.

“ ey learn to get better sleep, they learn how to fuel their body properly, by making healthier choices.

“ e nutritional aspect, the time management, and learning how to set goals for themselves, makes a di erence.

“Anything that takes up a signi cant amount of their extracurricular time, these habits carry on throughout their lives, especially when there is no one around to remind them.

“ ey know where to put their focus at the right time, and they know how to come back from a negative experience.” e OSU research did nd one caveat, however: Don’t feel the necessity to overdo it. e school’s study revealed that students participating in two or more activities did not result in an advantage over students involved in only one extracurricular endeavor.

A study at e Ohio State University in Columbus released in April reinforces the bene ts of extracurricular sports involvement. e OSU research revealed that 88% of 12th-grade athletes attended college, compared to 71% of non-athletes. Athletes were also more likely to attend fouryear schools compared to two-year schools.

Steve Mark is a freelance journalist.