Do you ever struggle to find an extracurricular that fits right for you? Sports are often the go-to when you think of things to boost your college application, but in reality, there are so many things outside of that that are just as important. Sports can get expensive, with club sports ranging from $500-$4000 per year. Whether it’s the extreme prices, your own lack of interest, or a conflicting schedule, you may feel lost in what else you can do.

There are a few main categories of extracurriculars: volunteering and community service, starting or joining a club, and a job or internship. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community, but sometimes it can be a struggle to find places to get your hours in. Volunteermatch.org is a website that allows you to find organizations near your area and includes categories of interest in its results. They include soup kitchens, 5ks, online service opportunities, and more. Other ways to get volunteering opportunities is asking local businesses, hospitals, churches, or other places if they need teen volunteers. The Canyon Hills Library offers volunteering in shifts or through special events. You can help set up and run events that usually include a kid’s craft, storytime, or other interesting hobbies. Call (714) 765-6444 for more details on how to get started.

At Canyon, students in grades 10-12 who earn 50 hours of volunteering each year can receive a cord at graduation. Fill out the Canyon Community Service Form and turn it in to the College and Career Center to submit hours. Joining a club is another great way to find an extracurricular activity. Clubs can gather people who have similar interests as you and can help set you up for something related to your dream career. If you want to become a doctor, joining a club like HOSA (The Health Occupations Students of America) or another medical club would be a great choice. Starting your own club can show colleges your leadership skills as well as giving back to the community. Sometimes we think that we need to join a bunch of extracurriculars, but a part-time job can look just as good to colleges, especially if you need it to pay for a car or are adding to savings. If you are under 18, you will need to fill out a work permit. Overall, sports aren’t the only way to get into the college of your dreams; finding your own place in extracurriculars you can enjoy is the most important thing.