Helping Your Teen Discover Their Unique Story: The Power of Extracurricular Activities
As parents, you play an essential role in guiding your teenagers through the impactful journey of self-discovery—a journey that becomes especially significant when they start thinking about college applications. When faced with the task of crafting personal essays, many teens might initially feel, “There’s nothing interesting about me.” However, this is where you can make a difference, helping them to see the rich layers of their identities.
The transformation begins with encouragement and exploration.
Over months of introspection and guided discovery, you can help your teen reflect on what they do outside the classroom. Encourage them to talk about activities that ignite their passion—those that consume their time and energy with joy and purpose. Whether it's volunteering, sports, part-time jobs, or hobbies that feel like a second life, it’s about painting an accurate and engaging picture of who they are beyond academics.
Ask questions like, “What about your weekend projects? How do you feel when you’re at the community center?”, “What activity would you engage in if you could choose just one?” These conversations can act as catalysts for uncovering self-awareness. By piecing together their experiences, you can help them craft narratives that highlight their commitment, leadership, creativity, resilience, compassion, and more — qualities that colleges eagerly seek and admire.
Here’s where you come in as a parent:
1. Unveiling Hidden Strengths
Your teen's extracurricular activities can illuminate strengths that their academic achievements might not show. Encourage them to recognize the discipline from playing in a band or the empathy from community service. These activities highlight diverse skills and personal growth.
2. Building a Narrative
In today’s competitive landscape, their narrative becomes their brand. Extracurriculars weave an insight into experiences that make personal essays and interviews compelling. Help your teen identify these stories early on to make them more memorable and impactful.
3. Showcasing Passion and Commitment
More than test scores and grades, colleges and employers want to see evidence of a candidate’s passion and sustained commitment. Support your teen in identifying projects or causes they genuinely care about, allowing them to demonstrate their dedication and enthusiasm clearly.
4. Fostering Essential Life Skills
Extracurricular activities help your teen develop critical life skills such as teamwork, leadership, time management, and problem-solving—all of which are essential for both educational success and career readiness.
5. Creating Connections and Networks
These activities offer opportunities for your teen to connect with like-minded peers and mentors, forming valuable networks that can lead to lifelong friendships and career opportunities.
Remember, every student has a unique story waiting to be uncovered. Encourage your teen to reflect deeply and engage fully in activities they love. Their journey of self-discovery and growth is not only valuable but essential in shaping a future full of potential.
To all parents and their teens: the journey you embark on together is a testament to the transformative power of listening, exploration, and self-awareness. Help your teen take stock, and watch their story unfold.
Your support can make all the difference.
