In education, there is often a debate about what really matters more: Extracurricular activities or academics? Both are seen as essential for building a strong student profile, but as we look ahead to life after school, we have to ask ourselves: Which one will truly help us succeed in the future?
In an attempt to answer this question, there is no denying that grades are important. They are the traditional way of measuring a student’s success, especially when it comes to college admissions. Universities tend to prioritize GPA, test scores, and academic achievement. However, the reality is that an “A” in a class may not mean as much when it comes to what students will actually be doing in the real world.
The truth is, the content learned in the classroom often feels disconnected from the practical skills they need in real-life situations. Extracurricular activities are effective in bridging the gap between classroom instruction and professional demands. They give students the chance to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings. Whether they are through clubs, leadership roles, or volunteering, extracurriculars help students build essential skills—teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving—that are all highly valued in the workforce.
For many, these activities are where real growth happens. They lay the foundation for a future career. For example, running a school club or planning an event can teach one about handling complex projects in a professional setting. Volunteering for or starting a nonprofit lends a hands-on experience in social entrepreneurship. These experiences are critical in skill development, which is valuable for many careers.
Even though partaking in extracurriculars hold valuable skills for students’ professional development, the reality is that colleges significantly emphasize grades. While participation in extracurricular activities can show leadership and passion, they still need to be paired with strong academics to impress admissions officers. In a world where GPA is often the first application component schools look at, it can feel like a dilemma. Despite grades’ significant importance in getting a student through the door, it is what they do beyond the classroom that prepares them for what comes next.
Christopher Jerez (10) offers an example of how extracurriculars can make a real difference for this next chapter in someone’s life: “While my grades are important, I’ve found that working for a television network in Torrance has taught me more about film production than any classroom lesson could.” His experience demonstrates the value of extracurricular involvement. While academics lend foundational knowledge, it is the hands-on experiences, like working in a professional environment, that make a lasting impact in one’s career. Ultimately, the long-term benefits of pairing extracurriculars with academic achievement and interests far outweigh the value of only focusing on inflating aGPA. In the real world, being able to take initiative, communicate effectively, and handle complex challenges will matter much more than memorizing facts or equations. While college admissions may care about grades, success in life will often come down to the experiences and skills that one gains outside of the classroom.
Nick Sanchez (10) shares a similar perspective on using the skills he acquired in the classroom in the activities he enjoys outside of school, even though it may not necessarily tie into the career he craves to pursue. Sanchez stats, “I’ve applied what I have learned in art class to improve my proportions and drawing speed. Every time I draw outside of school, I make sure to use those lessons, and even though art is just a hobby, I treat it as a skill to be developed and use it in my everyday life.” Sanchez’s experience shows how academic lessons, even in creative subjects, can go beyond the classroom and have a lasting impact on other areas of life.
The debate about what matters more for life after high school rests on a much deeper question: Will an “A” in a class matter when you’re building your future, or will the experiences you’ve had from extracurriculars take you further? In the end, it is not about the grade; it is about what you do with it.
