Written by BFIS Staff
At BFIS we have 16 High School clubs led by students and 4 Middle School clubs. Every year we see the number of clubs growing. Again, last week, 3 teams of High School students went to see the BFIS Service Learning Coordinator with a proposition for a new club. It is great to see students take initiative and be so willing to share their passions as well as make a difference in our local, national, and international community.
School clubs are a great opportunity to develop all kinds of skills, boost personal statements for university applications as well as pursue passions and discover new interests. It really allows students to be successful outside the classroom
Developing skills
School clubs are key to developing critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, leadership, and collaboration skills, among others. Students are challenged to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to existing problems.
There is no greater feeling than overcoming a challenge in a group. Students will encounter obstacles or difficulties, but through a period of trial and error, a solution to the problem will be found, generating a feeling of accomplishment and valuing strength, teamwork, and perseverance.
Whether students are executive members of a club, leading a fundraising project, or preparing a team for a competition, they will gain valuable experience in decision making and will refine their communication and organization skills. They will learn how to present ideas and engage an audience, how to interact with people outside their inner circle of friends, and people with different life experiences, allowing them to build new relationships and make new connections using a variety of media.
All these skills will serve them well not only at school but also at the university and at their chosen professional careers in the future.
Pursue passions and discover new interests
Whether students are passionate about photography, environmental issues, history, math, or film, clubs are a great way to share and/or build their knowledge beyond the academic program. Student clubs are a great platform for students to develop holistically, to know more about themselves, their strengths, and their goals, to speak their voices, and provide creative ideas to serve others. Student clubs are also an extraordinary way to get out of the comfort zone, and be daring and risk takers by trying new things that may become a new interest or a passion.
A boost for your personal statements for university applications
Universities in the US, the UK, and also in many other countries are looking to recruit students who are not just about the academic stuff but who can also positively contribute to the university community. They look for students who are trying to challenge themselves, inspire others, collaboratively find solutions to existing problems and take action to make our world a better place to live in.
Make a difference
Make a difference to improve living conditions in different communities.
Some club initiatives can also be a great opportunity to engage in group discussions and events on various social and cultural issues in our local community, becoming more socially aware. Joining a student club that focuses on giving back can be a meaningful way for students to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
We want our students to lead change, and to be empowered to make the world a better place while being grounded in practical experience and in the understanding of real-world context.
Indeed, the benefits of joining a school club are endless and really can help students grow as a person, get challenged, and develop many skills. And why not create their own club? Perfect to develop their leadership skills.
Karina Jackson
Service Learning Coordinator
CAS Coordinator
