Although extracurricular activities play an important role in shaping a student’s perspective and personality, academics are paramount. Students should not join every club and organization available on campus, and only participate in the ones that interest them.

Maintaining a balance between studying, grades, and extracurricular activities is essential for college admissions. Here are four tips to help your child find this balance:

1. Prioritize School

Students who are engaged in their academics and involved in extracurricular activities often have higher test scores than students who don’t participate. These activities are an important part of a well-rounded education and can teach students valuable lessons about teamwork, leadership, social awareness, managing programs and budgets, and more.

However, many students are tempted to take on too many extracurricular activities and begin to struggle with their grades and overall performance in school. Students may feel overwhelmed or overtired from juggling so many responsibilities, and they might not get enough sleep, which can also affect their ability to concentrate in class.

It’s important for parents to talk with their kids about the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between academics and extracurriculars. They can help them prioritize their schoolwork and set realistic expectations for how much they can accomplish each day. They can also encourage their children to talk with their teachers, counselors and coaches about any concerns they might have.

If your child is interested in joining a new club or organization, it’s important to ask for an estimate of how much time each activity will require. This way, they can be sure that they’re not taking on more than they can handle and that they have enough time to study for their exams. It’s also a good idea to pick only a few activities, rather than trying to participate in every club or organization that their high school offers.

In addition to improving their GPA, participating in extracurriculars can also boost a student’s self-esteem and confidence. When a student feels accomplished, they’re more likely to be motivated and determined to work hard in school. This, in turn, can lead to improved test scores and better chances of getting into their top college choice.

Moreover, students who are involved in extracurricular activities tend to have more lifelong benefits than those who don’t participate. They’re more likely to have greater networking opportunities and be able to connect with professionals in their field of interest, which can be invaluable when they’re looking for jobs or internships in the future.

2. Schedule Time for Studying

The good news is that, as children get older, they are often better equipped to manage the responsibilities of school and extracurricular activities. During their early years, however, they may not have had much experience with this task and it can be difficult for them to figure out how to balance their schedules effectively.

To help them, it’s important to set clear expectations regarding their academic performance and their involvement in extracurricular activities. It’s also helpful to teach them about the benefits of participating in extracurricular activities, such as developing time management skills and learning responsibility and discipline. It’s important to remind them that their grades should always come first.

It’s also a good idea to talk about the importance of studying for tests, preparing for presentations, and writing essays. These tasks require a lot of mental energy and concentration, so it’s important that they are able to prioritize them and devote sufficient time to them. In addition, it’s helpful to discuss when the brain is most receptive to new information and that it can be more productive to study in the afternoon or evening than during the day.

In addition, it’s a good idea to teach them how to use the “hidden time” during their day to complete important academic tasks such as reviewing notes from previous classes, reading course materials, and preparing for future classes. It’s easy to waste these 1-2 hour blocks between classes, but by planning ahead and using this time wisely, students can make sure they aren’t wasting their most valuable resource.

Once students understand the importance of studying, they can start to prioritize their time by setting a reasonable weekly schedule for their classes, homework, and extracurricular activities. They should then work on scheduling their other responsibilities around these priorities to create an overall plan for each day.

Finally, it’s a good idea to remind them that they should try not to overcommit themselves to extracurricular activities. It’s not realistic to expect them to be able to play a sport, participate in a club, go on a field trip, attend a social event, and study all at the same time.

3. Take a Break

If your child has been studying for a long period of time, it’s a good idea to take positive breaks. This will help them stay refreshed and able to focus better. A study break could involve anything from a quick walk to grabbing a healthy snack. It’s also important to get enough sleep, which will allow their mind and body to rest and recharge.

In addition, it’s important to have a social life and explore your interests outside of school. Extracurricular activities can teach you a variety of skills that will be useful in your career and college applications. This could include teamwork, communication and leadership skills, as well as how to manage your time, stress level and mental health.

However, if your child feels that they are overcommitted with their extracurricular activities, they may start to have academic struggles. Help them evaluate their priorities and develop a schedule to make sure they are staying on track with their schoolwork and other responsibilities.

For example, if your child wants to sign up for drama club but they have a scheduled session with their tutor and a neurobehavioral specialist, it may be beneficial to have them research how much time that activity requires each week. This will give them a clear picture of how much time they have left over for schoolwork and other commitments and help them decide whether or not to add that new activity.

Remember that juggling schoolwork, extracurricular activities and socializing is a normal part of life. During this time, it’s okay to sacrifice some things, but try to remind your child that any sacrifices they make will be temporary. This will help them appreciate the value of their education, which is vital for their future.

If you are interested in learning more about how to balance your college application with a strong extracurricular profile, our experts are here to help. Register for our free webinar to hear more about what admissions officers look for in a well-rounded applicant. It will cover how students can discover their passions and explore them during the summer, while also understanding what types of activities will strengthen their applications.

4. Ask for Help

Students learn to juggle many different things throughout their high school career. They have homework, chores, errands, and social activities. They also have extracurriculars, like sports teams, student clubs, academic competitions and summer programs that take up a good chunk of their time. It is important that they manage their time wisely and have a balance between all of these areas.

A balanced life is crucial for teens to grow and mature as individuals. Participating in co-curricular activities can help them develop a variety of skills including communication, leadership and crisis management. It can also help them stay healthy both physically and emotionally. However, it is important that they do not neglect their schoolwork.

It is not uncommon for students to feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities and struggle with balancing schoolwork and after-school activities. This can lead to serious consequences including a lack of sleep, low motivation in school and a negative impact on their grades.

As parents, we can help our children balance their responsibilities and manage their time effectively by setting an example. It is essential that we encourage them to set aside time for studying, and if they have trouble doing so on their own, we can support them by giving them study tips and creating a dedicated space for them to do their homework where there are no distractions.

We can also help our children manage their time by encouraging them to be choosy about the extracurricular activities they participate in. It is not necessary to join every club in their school or community, and it can be damaging if they do. It is important for them to choose the ones that are most valuable to their development and that they have a genuine interest in.

In addition, we can help our children juggle school and extracurricular activities by helping them find external assistance if needed. This may include a babysitter, day care or even an after-school program that allows them to spend time doing their extracurricular activities without jeopardizing their schoolwork. It is also important that we teach our children that it is okay to ask for help and not be afraid of failure. This is an invaluable life lesson that they will use throughout their careers and everyday lives.