By Abdulrasaq Kamaldeen
Since forever, children from a very young age have been told that “education is key.” Key to what exactly is one nut that is hard to crack because many educated people don’t own a key, both literally and figuratively. The question that now arises is if education alone is the key or if is it to be accompanied by a side dish, or skill.
It has been globally recognized that academic success isn’t meant for all. Many have bagged academic degrees only to succeed and live off the skills they have earned along the way.
Nowadays, skill and academics are watertight, they work hand-in-hand and can’t easily sunder from each other, Those who have skill and academic excellence are considered hotcakes after graduation and find the troubled waters easier to paddle.
In the course of the academic journey, some students combine academics with extracurricular activities because they believe that after graduating, there is no profitable job with a good salary, so they stick with extracurricular activities that can guarantee them good income.
Pursuing academics with extracurricular activities is the best in the world we find ourselves in now—a job recruiter or the CEO of a particular company needs someone who has the skill and good academic excellence to occupy the job. It is so in the world today where technology is taking over that preference is given to seekers who own and have harnessed their tech skills.
In one way or the other, extracurricular activities and academics are like snails and shells because extracurricular activities give room for practical experience while Academics ensure theoretical experience. Both theoretical and practical experience can enhance students’ résumés and prepare them for future careers.
While academics remain the primary focus of university education, extracurricular activities play a crucial role in supporting and enhancing the overall learning and development of students. A balanced approach, where students engage in both academic and extracurricular pursuits, can lead to the most fulfilling and transformative university experience. Thus, extracurriculars as an essential component of a well-rounded education, they contribute to the overall development of the student within the four corners of the classroom and beyond.
Employers and graduate schools also value the skills and experiences gained through extracurricular participation, which can enhance a student’s competitiveness in the job market or further academic pursuits.