At the beginning of every school year, SHP hosts its annual Activities Fair. If any of you have ever gone, you would know that there is a club for just about every interest. Also, every SHP athlete knows the thrill of sports tryouts. These two things are not just part of SHP life but are also important for our mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being of four great years at the Prep.
Participating in school clubs and sports fosters better social development. According to Child-Focus.org, “engaging in group activities such as team sports or clubs encourages children to work together and collaborate with others, which in turn fosters the development of vital social skills.” This means that being part of these programs allows students to progress in their responsibility, cooperative skills and problem-solving abilities which hopefully, they will carry for the rest of their lives. In addition, students who play a sport or participate in a club often improve in their academics. Furthermore, Child-Focus.org explains that “participating in clubs and sports teaches students how to balance their time effectively” thus it “fosters a sense of discipline and organization that can have a direct impact on school performance.” As a result, students will be less inclined to procrastinate and manage their schedule in a way that allows them to be better prepared for their classes.
School clubs and sports also offer students a better state of mind. Their mental health is affected in a positive way. The Henry Ford Health Staff writers, part of Henry Ford Health, write that playing a sport “can help kids develop a sense of competence and self-esteem. In addition, they learn how to develop different strategies to improve their performance which allows them to feel a sense of accomplishment.” Hence, student-athletes will be able to decompress and find the joy of playing a sport and being part of a team. In our world today, mental health does not just affect adults, but more and more young people. School clubs and sports can be a great outlet to manage one’s mental health.
As a student who is part of various clubs and a sports team here at SHP, I know that these benefits are real. Getting my schoolwork done while still putting in the work on the courts brought me self-satisfaction that I had not experienced before. In addition, the joy of being part of my first real team sport was a great experience. Not only did I make many new friends, but I was also able to learn how to better my social development by communicating with my doubles partner and collaborating with my teammates on how to be successful. There may be some downfalls to school sports or activities, but honestly, it is hard for me to find many ways that do not benefit and enhance the life of a student at The Prep. Most times, we do not even realize the benefits we are getting from being a part of these communities. So put yourself out there and don’t be shy! You will soon see the upsides as you become a better athlete, club member, and student.