Posted: May 1st, 2024

Cocurricular Activities

Cocurricular Activities

Cocurricular activities are those that complement the academic curriculum and enhance the learning experience of students. They include clubs, sports, arts, volunteering, internships, and other extracurricular opportunities that foster the development of skills, values, and attitudes that are essential for personal and professional growth. Cocurricular activities can benefit students in various ways, such as:

– Improving academic performance: Studies have shown that students who participate in cocurricular activities tend to have higher grades, test scores, and retention rates than those who do not (Astin, 1993; Kuh, 1995; Tinto, 1993). This is because cocurricular activities provide opportunities for students to apply what they learn in the classroom, enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and develop a sense of academic identity and belonging (Astin, 1993; Kuh, 1995).
– Developing social and emotional skills: Cocurricular activities can help students develop interpersonal skills, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution. These skills are important for building positive relationships with peers, faculty, staff, and community members, as well as for coping with stress and challenges in life (Astin, 1993; Kuh, 1995). Cocurricular activities can also foster emotional well-being by providing students with a sense of purpose, autonomy, and self-efficacy (Bandura, 1997; Deci & Ryan, 2000).
– Enhancing career readiness: Cocurricular activities can prepare students for the workforce by exposing them to different fields of interest, providing them with hands-on experience and networking opportunities, and helping them develop relevant competencies and credentials. Cocurricular activities can also increase students’ awareness of their strengths, interests, values, and goals, and help them make informed decisions about their future careers (Gardner & Barnes, 2007; Kuh et al., 2008).

In conclusion, cocurricular activities are an integral part of the educational experience that can enrich students’ academic, social, emotional, and career development. Therefore, students should be encouraged and supported to participate in cocurricular activities that align with their needs, interests, and aspirations.

References

Astin, A. W. (1993). What matters in college? Four critical years revisited. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry,
11(4), 227-268.

Gardner, P., & Barnes B. J. (2007). Graduate expectations of the workplace. Journal of Career Planning & Employment,
67(2), 32-37.

Kuh G. D. (1995). The other curriculum: Out-of-class experiences associated with student learning and personal development. Journal of Higher Education,
66(2), 123-155.

Kuh G. D., Kinzie J., Schuh J. H., Whitt E. J., & Associates (2008). High-impact educational practices: What they are,
who has access to them,
and why they matter.
Washington,
DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities.

Tinto V. (1993). Leaving college: Rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition (2nd ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

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