Are you stuck at home and wondering how you can fill your time? These 10 different extracurricular activities will not only give you something to do while at home but help you stand out on our college application.
1. Creative Writing
This can be anything you want! Anything from fiction, to short stories to a screenplay. There are a bunch of online contests you can submit your writing to and possibly win awards. In addition, you can get your pieces published in literary magazines that support teen writers. If you’re into writing, this can be a great way to stand out on your college application.
2. Blogging/Article Writing
If you are an aspiring journalist, you can still publish work from home! Try writing Op-Eds and submitting them to your local newspaper or your school newspaper. This can be a great wow factor when applying to college. You can also start a blog and write about anything that you enjoy, though this may be less impressive on an application. But if you enjoy blogging, it is still a worthwhile activity.
3. Vlogging
If your passion is filmmaking, vlogging is something you can certainly do from home. Try to find a niche you can do with your vlog, whether it be a DIY series or tutorials. Try to add something valuable to the world with your vlogs.
4. Compose Music
Extracurricular activities include music too, of course! If you are an aspiring musician, composing your own music can make a great story for a college essay! You can write your own songs or try your hand at producing music.
5. Art
Make art! It can be anything from painting to drawing to creating digital art. You can even take it a step further. For example: if digital art is your passion, think about how it can help your community. Try creating graphics for your local charity or business.
6. Scientific Experiments
For STEM students, create experiments that show your scientific passion. You can create experiments with robots, build rockets, compose chemistry research to solve problems in the world. Anything you could see in a school science fair you can certainly to right now from your house.
7. Remote Volunteer Work
Community service is one of the most popular extracurricular activities, so if you want your volunteer work to stand out, you have to do it in a unique way. Doing remote volunteer work is certainly unique, and shows your commitment to bettering your community. You can tutor students online, start an online program that addresses a problem in your town or do social media work for a local non-profit.
8. Coding
Coding is the hot thing right now. In a decade or two, coding will be an essential skill in the workforce, so you should get a head start and learn how to code now! You can learn online through free programs. If you already know how to code, you can begin projects such as an app or website development.
9. Online Learning
If you want this to be a stand out on your college application, try taking an accredited course. If you are just trying to feed your intellectual curiosity, there are many online courses you can take for free at mooc.org or at amazing schools like Stanford and Ivy League universities.
10. Create!
The sky is the limit with your imagination. You can build, invent, even make unique foods. Whatever inspires you, you can create it. Make something that excites you!
Just because we’re social distancing doesn’t mean we have to give up our passions. Whatever makes you happy, try to find a way to pursue it while at home. Colleges will be impressed that you didn’t let COVID-19 stop you from being your best, most creative self.
