If you know me, you know that I’m obsessed with CESJDS sports, but it hasn’t always been that way. In ninth grade, I felt an obligation to sign up for as many clubs and extracurriculars as possible. We had been told for years that when you enter high school, that’s when everything starts to count and that joining activities would get us into college. So, freshman year I proceeded to join the debate team, Junior State of America, Loa Haari, Better Together, The Lion’s Tale (which everyone should join!) and four varsity sports.

Throughout the rest of freshman year, I participated in all of these clubs but really didn’t dedicate time to any of them. I attended the meetings during my Community Times and lunches, but that was about it. I quickly realized that if I ever wanted to excel at any of these, I would have to quit some, and this was OK. I was still going to get into college even though I was no longer on the debate team.

I chose to focus more on basketball because this was the activity that created the most joy in my life. I immediately saw a lot of progress in this sport and was able to become a much better player. I also was able to create friendships with so many people that I never would have before. My whole life, I had juggled so many different extracurriculars, and one of my biggest regrets is not having chosen one to focus on sooner.

Extracurriculars aren’t there to consume your time or pad your college applications; they are there to help you explore your passions, learn new skills and, most importantly, make new friends.