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Students involved in extra-curricular events here on campus deal with keeping the balance between their organizations and their schoolwork everyday. Is there a breaking point? Do extra-curricular activities offer any additional value to the college experience? Why take on the extra responsibility of leading an organization when it could hurt your grades?
The Student Involvement and Employment Office at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point lists involvement as participating in college-related activities outside of the classroom and benefiting from that experience. Some of the most common reasons to get involved are: growth, recognition, achievement and enjoyment. The benefits that students receive from their involvement are invaluable and infinite. Things like developing interpersonal skills, working with different groups and learning and practicing leadership skills are all valuable characteristics to be learned outside of the classroom.
However, how do students cope with leading a double life of particpating in student organizations while going to class, working and studying?
Is taking on the responsibility of leading a student group an unwise decision compared to focusing on schoolwork 24/7?
“I don’t have anything against students who do schoolwork all the time, but they are missing out on the opportunities clubs have to offer,” said Pat Martin, president of the ski and snowboard club.
Martin is in charge of setting up a trip out west every year for more than 70 students. Dealing with travel agents, the Student Government Association and advisors may seem like an overwhelming task, but Martin says, “It helps me to delegate my time more wisely, trying to get everything ready; it’s very time demanding.”
Although schoolwork and activities may conflict when being a leader in a campus group, many members cope with time management. However, it doesn’t always work out as planned; conflicts inevitably occur, and it is left up to the clubs to deal with them.
“There’d be times when we’d schedule meetings months in advance, and I’d have an exam the next day,” said Ben Uvaas, president of the Ace Holes, UW-SP disc golf club.
Kim Bauknecht, captain of the UW–SP dance team, has a unique outlook when it comes to dealing with her duties on the dance team and handling her schoolwork.
“I find that the busier I am, the better I am using my time. It gives you part of an experience not included in college,” said Bauknecht.
Being heavily involved in extra-curricular groups and keeping up with classes is an important issue many students face. Students that are able to withstand pressure in these situations will be more able to cope with stress in the long run.
