extracurricular activity
Beyond-the-classroom involvement
An extracurricular activity is something a student does outside regular academic coursework—sports teams, drama clubs, debate societies, volunteer work.
The term implies organized, school-adjacent pursuits that colleges and employers view favorably: Her extracurriculars include Model UN and varsity soccer.
Informally, extracurricular activities can mean illicit side pursuits, especially affairs: His wife discovered his extracurricular activities.
Formal argument on issues
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- choirOrganized group of singers
- bandGroup playing music together
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
robotics · chess · mathletes · yearbook · student council · journalism · key club · art club
Field sport with goals
- basketballTeam sport with hoops
- footballField sport with goals
- swimmingLocomotion through water
- trackPath or monitored route
field · volleyball · tennis · gymnastics · hockey · baseball · softball · lacrosse
Venue for live drama
- marching bandMobile musical ensemble
- jazz bandImprovisational musical ensemble
- color guardCeremonial banner-bearing unit
- dance teamOrganized performance ensemble
a cappella · show choir · musical · improv · painting · photography · film club · creative writing
Unpaid labor benefiting society
- tutoringIndividual academic guidance
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- fundraisingSoliciting money for organizations
- charityVoluntary aid for others
nonprofit · outreach · food bank · hospital volunteer · animal shelter · civic engagement · red cross · peer counseling
Skillful manual creation
- gardeningTending plants recreationally
- knittingLoop-based textile making
- woodworkingCraft of shaping lumber
- bakingCooking with dry heat
cooking · fishing · hiking · birdwatching · blogging · astronomy · gaming · collecting
debate
Formal argument on issues
drama · robotics · chess · mathletes · yearbook · student council · journalism · key club · art club · book club
soccer
Field sport with goals
- basketballTeam sport with hoops
- footballField sport with goals
- swimmingLocomotion through water
track · field · volleyball · tennis · gymnastics · hockey · baseball · softball · lacrosse · wrestling
theater
Venue for live drama
- marching bandMobile musical ensemble
- jazz bandImprovisational musical ensemble
- color guardCeremonial banner-bearing unit
dance team · a cappella · show choir · musical · improv · painting · photography · film club · creative writing · pottery
community service
Unpaid labor benefiting society
- tutoringIndividual academic guidance
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- fundraisingSoliciting money for organizations
charity · nonprofit · outreach · food bank · hospital volunteer · animal shelter · civic engagement · red cross · peer counseling · environmental cleanup
crafting
Skillful manual creation
- gardeningTending plants recreationally
- knittingLoop-based textile making
- woodworkingCraft of shaping lumber
baking · cooking · fishing · hiking · birdwatching · blogging · astronomy · gaming · collecting · model building
extracurricular activitycoursework
Student academic tasks
academic work · classroom instruction · required course · core curriculum · schoolwork
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