Engaging

I was extremely active in extracurricular activities and organizations

Involvement outside the classroom matters. Students who were highly active in extracurriculars were 1.4 times more likely to thrive in their post-college lives.

Faculty can play a key role in encouraging and connecting students to these opportunities. The strategies here highlight ways to support students’ personal development, leadership, and engagement beyond coursework.

Actionable strategy How to implement it Resources/Examples
Campus Engagement Connecting students with campus engagement resources, including:

  • Student organization repository: searchable database of student organizations.
  • Campus events calendar: centralized listing of campus events
  • Student club repository: listings with descriptions and contact info
Local Community Engagement Engaging with the community outside the campus allows students to build community and connections within their local community, buildsroots and helps students establish a home base, cultivates skills, interests, and hobbies to build a well-rounded individual. And fosters networks outside of the professional sphere

To find opportunities, students might use:

  • University-based repositories
  • Tourism Board Websites
  • Local Newspapers
  • Discover Gainesville: Stay for Adventure
    • Visitors guide providing suggested activities and a listing of events taking place in and around Gainesville
  • Orlando Weekly
    • Provides general information and recommendations relating to food/dining, arts/culture, and free events that anyone can attend
    • https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/FreeStuff
    • A calendar of events taking place within the greater Orlando area
  • https://www.visitathensga.com/things-to-do/
    • A listing of attractions, outdoor recreation, and suggested itineraries for making your way around Athens, GA
  • General Resources (may not be endorsed by the institution)
    •  www.meetup.com
      • Activities, events, and interest groups organized by geographical location
      • Connects individuals based on similar interests and hobbies
    • www.Tripadvisor.com
    • Provides recommendations and travel reviews for local attractions for both visitors and locals looking to explore an area
Volunteer & Community Service Allows students to engage in experiential learning activities that relate to their interests, in a way that also connects them to and benefits their university communities. These experiences encourage dialogue with students about their interests, encouraging them to let those passions guide their volunteer choices

Students can find opportunities through their campus service/experiential learning offices.

Types of organizations: Local and national offices for non-profits, religious organizations, hospitals and medical clinics, government offices, museums, libraries, campus student groups
Relevant Research The Impact of Extracurricular Activities on University Students’ Academic Success and Employability (2024)

Authors: Ribeiro, Malafaia, Neves, Menezes

Journal: European Journal of Higher Education

Summary:

A narrative synthesis reviewing 39 peer reviewed articles (2010–2021) found that most extracurricular activities (ECAs) positively impact academic performance and employability. Only a small minority showed negative outcomes. Authors recommend universities promote ECAs to foster holistic student development.

Access: https://eric.ed.gov/?q=academic+success&id=EJ1435008

 

Effect of Extracurricular and Co Curricular Activities on Students’ Development in Higher Education (2023)

Authors: Mishra & Aithal

Journal: International Journal of Management, Technology, and Social Sciences (IJMTS)

Summary:

This exploratory, peer reviewed study highlights that ECAs strengthen personality development, mental agility, confidence, and independence. Survey data support that ECAs help students adapt to modern industry requirements and improve overall development.

Access (PDF): ResearchGate link in source  [researchgate.net]

 

Extracurricular Involvement in College: Its Effect on Academic Success, Mental and Social Health, and Preparedness for Life After Graduation (2023)

Author: Derick Truong

Type: Undergraduate Honors Thesis (University of Arizona – Research based)

Summary:

Survey results indicate ECAs:

  • Do not harm academic performance, even with up to 30 hours/week of involvement.
  • Improve confidence in transferable skills, such as communication and leadership.
  • Do not significantly change stress levels compared to non involved peers.

Access: University of Arizona Repository  [repository…rizona.edu]

 

Investigating the Impact of Extracurricular Activities on the Academic and Social Skills of University Students in Post COVID 19 (2023)

Author: Amel Fawzi Zaki

Type: Peer reviewed conference paper (Springer)

Summary:

Using magazine writing as an extracurricular activity, this study found that ECAs post COVID improved:

  • Academic skills
  • Social skills
  • Student engagement

The authors recommend more product based ECAs to counteract online education deficits.

 

 The Academic and Emotional Impact of Extracurricular Activities on University Students (2024)

Source: IEEE Xplore

Summary:

This study shows that academic performance is shaped by motivation, social connections, and mentoring. ECAs are linked to improvements in motivation and university satisfaction, reducing risks of poor academic outcomes.

Access: IEEE Xplore [ieeexplore.ieee.org]

 

The Impact of Extracurricular Activities on University Students’ Academic Success and Employability (2023)

Journal: European Journal of Higher Education

Summary:

A PRISMA based narrative synthesis of 39 articles found:

  • 10 of 18 studies showed positive academic impact
  • 16 of 23 showed positive employability impact
  • Very few showed negative effects

Authors emphasize the value of ECAs for holistic development and career readiness.

Access:

https://www.bohrium.com/paper-details/the-impact-of-extracurricular-activities-on-university-students-academic-success-and-employability/862279345161371648-24957
What can faculty do to encourage participation? Enhance awareness of domain-specific organizations (professional organizations) A. Connect Activities to Academic and Career Goals

  • Students are more likely to engage when they see value. Faculty can:
  • Highlight how clubs build skills (leadership, teamwork, communication)
  • Tie activities to course content or career paths
  • Invite guest speakers from organizations or clubs into class

B. Personally Encourage Students
A simple nudge goes a long way:

  • Recommend specific clubs based on a student’s interests or strengths
  • Reach out to quieter or less-connected students who may hesitate to join on their own
  • Normalize trying things without long-term commitment

C. Build a Culture of Involvement
Faculty set the tone:

  • Talk positively about extracurricular engagement
  • Share your own experiences with clubs or professional groups
  • Recognize and celebrate student involvement publicly
Facilitate participation Bring organizations into the classroom A. Integrate Into Coursework (Lightly)
Without overloading students:

  • Offer small incentives (extra credit, reflection assignments, or attendance options)
  • Include experiential learning tied to events or organizations
  • Encourage students to attend at least one event and reflect on it

B. Make Opportunities Visible
Many students simply don’t know what exists:

  • Share curated lists of relevant organizations or events
  • Use LMS announcements or class time to spotlight opportunities
  • Highlight success stories of past participants

C. Reduce Barriers to Participation

Students often face time, financial, or social barriers:

  • Advocate for flexible scheduling of events
  • Support inclusive, low-cost programming
  • Encourage hybrid or drop-in participation options

D. Partner With Campus Offices

Work with student affairs or engagement offices to:

  • Stay informed about upcoming opportunities
  • Co-sponsor events
  • Align academic and co-curricular goals
Engage with co-curricular activities Club sponsor/faculty advisor

Study abroad

Do these things meet requirements for service?

 A. Collaborate With Student Organizations

Faculty can:

  • Serve as advisors or mentors
  • Help clubs design events that align with academic programs
  • Promote events in class or on course platforms
Student Affairs Success coaches or holistic advisors that advance students’ personal and professional growth.

Something in between academic advising and student affairs.
Contributors

Akash Alexander, University of Florida

Winfred Biddle, University of Georgia

Paola Ehrmantraut, University of St. Thomas

David Herman, University of Florida

Diba Mani, University of Florida