As students, we need a place where we can find a release from the stresses of school.
Lucky for us, schools and the community offer programs and clubs for students to enjoy and learn from. These groups are incredibly important because they provide an outlet for our passions that we can choose freely to join.
A big part of attending school is learning the basics in our core classes. School is preparing us for the life ahead, filling our heads with as much information as possible in hopes we will hook onto a subject and make a career out of it.
Electives, on the other hand, are there to nourish our creative side and teach us skills we will use in our everyday lives.
We are offered courses such as home economics, art, textiles, cooking, photography and computer programming, just to name a few. We should be thankful we are gaining more knowledge as we take these exploratory classes. We can never acquire too much information, especially about a subject we enjoy; we will almost never find it boring to learn new facts and abilities revolving around an interest.
For those who want a job that does not fit the mould of core courses, after-school activities can be quite beneficial. The community presents us with musical, recreational, creative and educational programs.
We can gain a lot from these pastimes. They often pave the way for our future careers, or provide us with skills to merely entertain.
Not only do we learn new skills and abilities from these programs, we can boost our social lives as well. In a group or team activity such as soccer, hockey, choir or book clubs, to name a few, we have the chance to make friends. In groups, we find people who are interested in the same things we are. All it takes is the courage to strike up a conversation over a common interest for the chance to make a new acquaintance.
Along with after-school programs, clubs are another great way to meet new people. The majority of schools offer a variety of clubs that take place over lunch.
Clubs are a way to become part of a community and discuss a certain subject. There are environmental clubs, political clubs, book clubs, sports clubs and even the option to create a new club.
We can find strength in these groups and relate over agreed goals or shared views.
With these programs and activities, however, comes responsibility. We must manage our time to practice and improve our skills, be prepared for the work that comes with it and attend meetings and classes.
Unlike our core subjects, many of these groups are not mandatory, which means it is our choice whether or not we are present
Students should keep in mind that we will not necessarily have opportunities like these after we graduate. We should take advantage of them while we have the chance.
Macy How is a grade 10 student at Brooks Secondary School.
