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Join the club; High school groups help students follow interests, try new things

By Caylie Sadin, Source: Tribune Media Services

High school can be a daunting place, even for returning students. And sometimes it can feel alienating, like there is no place for you. You aren’t into sports or cheerleading or band or anything that the other students are a part of. But there is a place for you.

On a high school campus, there are clubs of many different kinds and subjects. There could be an anime club, a sci-fi fantasy club, a table tennis club, a culinary club, and IT club or even a juggling club.

Joining a club can bring you and students who like what you like together. It’s a great way to make friends and to get involved at school. Usually it’s fun too, like a small recess during the school day.

Clubs can help make high school fun. It can make life a little more bearable if you have an escape to go to every week.

During anime club, you might get to watch an anime every lunch period. Or if you prefer something like a table tennis club, you could be playing ping-pong every day, honing your skills, and competing with your schoolmates.

Because a teacher or two oversees every club, you could also start building a relationship with a teacher that enjoys what you do. Building a bond with a teacher is important. Soon enough, you will be a senior working on college applications and every college application usually requires a teacher recommendation. But besides even college applications, some jobs require recommendations.

By joining a club, you might be able to get to know a teacher who will now know you a little better. They will no longer think of you as just one of the many students that they teach. Now he or she will be able to write a specific letter about you to the college or job for which you are applying.

And you can put down the clubs you were in on your college application. Most colleges are no longer just looking for students with good grades. They are looking for well-rounded students who participate in school life or do other things outside of academics. Being in clubs can make you seem more attractive to colleges.

If you can’t find a club that fits you, start one. Each school has their own rules about starting clubs, but once you start a club, put the word out. If you make it, they will come.

© 2011, Tribune Media Services