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A student’s participation in extracurricular activities, especially during high school, play a fundamental part in the higher education options available to them later in their lives. Christy Lleras, a professor at the University of Illinois, says “soft skills” such as “sociability, punctuality, conscientiousness, and an ability to get along well with others” determine a student’s academic and financial success later in life better than grades and higher standardized test scores. Extracurricular activities are the window to students learning “soft skills” like these.

But where does a student start? Here’s the K-12 Directory of School’s top ten suggestions for implementing extracurricular activities into a K-12 student’s daily life.

1. Volunteer

Volunteer work is available for all ages, from elementary school to college. I remember in fifth grade, I participated in a volunteer reading program at my school’s library, where the “older kids” read to the kindergarten and first grade classes. Junior high and high school students can volunteer in community service locations to help improve the environment. Volunteering for the tide pools had an heir of popularity to it at my high school. Volunteering can help build early networks within the community and looks great on college applications.

2. Take Part in a Sports Team

In elementary school, children can join Little League and other sports-related teams. high schools have an array of sports that students can part take in, from basketball to tennis. If a school doesn’t offer the sport your child is interested in, teams are always available outside of school. This not only appeals to physically-inclined youth and builds endorphins, it helps establish teamwork and friendship.

3. Join a Club

“Club week” is huge at high schools, and many junior highs and even elementary schools are jumping on a club-like mindset to bring the social environments of children together. Clubs are available for every interest, from chess to reading to volunteer work teams.

4. Participate in the Fine Arts

An arts class at a high school has social interaction in addition to the exercising of creativity. If your child is attending a school with no arts of particular interest, consider painting lessons or dance instead. Music is a common method of incorporating the arts into a student’s life and music programs not only increase the child’s understanding of the academics, but gives them something to work towards and perform. It teaches children what accomplishment feels like.

5. Run for a School Officer Position

Children that participate in officer positions at their school, such as president and treasurer, become a part of the school community and learn social skills right from the start. It’s a no-brainer thinking about how your child could apply the skills they learn as a school officer to the professional world. Colleges also love to see officer roles on applications.

6. Help with the School Newspaper or Yearbook

Joining the yearbook team or the school newspaper can be as rewarding as an officer role. Students learn critical teamwork and writing skills that they will carry into their higher education. Like music, this also gives a student a sense of accomplishment at the completion of a big project that’s only possible with a team.

7. Look Into After-School Activities

Science Olympiad is an example of an after-school activity available to students outside of clubs, sports, newspapers, and yearbook teams. Science fairs and academic events and activities are yet another way a student can take part in an extracurricular activity and bolster their “soft skills” for their future educational endeavors.

8. Attend Classes Outside of School

Karate class and gymnastics lets students make friends just as easily as school-based events. Younger children can take part in Gymboree classes or swim school. Classes are available for all ages outside of school and for all kinds of miscellaneous activities, from learning a new language to learning Taekwondo.

9. Pursue a Hobby of Interest

Students that do not like the idea of participating in a sport, officer role, club, or team setting can still participate in extracurricular activities that further their intellectual development. I knew a friend in junior high once that loved to go hiking and participated in an online hiking community. Students that have taken up an interesting hobby could even start a club of their own with their school’s approval!

10. Study Abroad

Common in high school and college, studying abroad opens a student’s awareness to different cultures and international issues. Scholarships are available to make studying abroad more affordable, as well as student exchange programs. This kind of worldliness shines on both college applications and job resumes and could help broaden a student’s interests and exposure to life events.

Is there an extracurricular activity your child enjoys, or a question about an extracurricular activity your child has shown an interest in? Feel free to share!