Nowadays, full-time university students tend to focus on their studying. Some people think it is essential for university students to be involved in other activities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many news stories and documentaries have investigated a recent phenomenon that university students now only concentrate on their schoolwork but do not participate any other activities. Many, including myself, think that students should expand their life and expose themselves to activities not related to schoolwork.
It is definitely true that the first priority of students is to study. Not only is this their job, but students who have good grades also tend to have a better opportunity to secure a well-paid job. This is normally the ultimate motive making students only spend time on studying.
However, what these students often neglect is the fact that most employers also look for potential employees with a diverse set of skills and experiences. That means students with part-time job experience, students’ union involvement, or community work history are more preferred by companies and organisations. It is because students with these extracurricular experiences are more likely to have acquired the highly sought-after interpersonal skills to create good rapport with their future co-workers, business partners, and, most importantly, their clients.
In addition, taking part in activities, such as foreign exchange programmes, cross-departmental competitions, and various sports and artistic events, enables students to challenge themselves and gain a better understanding of their characteristics. These programmes push students out of their comfort zones, sharpen their problem solving ability, and realise their true potentials. Students joining these programmes have to deploy all their existing knowledge, skills, and determination in order to finish their tasks. Graduates often praise how these memories allow them to go through various difficult life situations.
To summarise, although I agree that studying is important, participating in different activities is extremely beneficial to one’s life. Extracurricular activities install in students with skills that books cannot offer and with insights that have long-lasting impacts on their lives. It is hoped that students will take part in more things outside of the classroom.
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