In October 2022, I was stationed in a busy corridor at my university. I was there working tirelessly to attract students to join the Entrepreneurship Development Association (EDA) at York University. The stakes were high, with our inaugural event just two weeks away. The day was filled with rejections. Some students didn’t have time to talk. Others just didn’t want to be bothered. But then, every so often, I’d get a “yes,” a student wanted to join our organization.
As our campaign went on, I learned tactics that allowed me to better articulate the benefits of joining EDA. However, the most effective approach wasn’t a tactic at all. I engaged in genuine conversations with other students while telling them what benefit they would gain from becoming a member. This simple modification to my approach was a game-changer. Registrations soared.
In total, the collective effort of my team led to an impressive tally of 200 new members within a week.
This experience allowed me to connect with others in a way that opened my eyes to something important. I realized that the skills I gained from this venture far surpassed any textbook knowledge I encountered in university. This extracurricular experience undoubtedly provided me with a dynamic skillset that helped me flourish as a student and beyond.
The significant knowledge and competencies I acquired with EDA led me to believe something I want to share with you. The piece of wisdom I’m offering here is simple: extracurriculars help you gain skills you likely won’t be pushed to develop in class.
Below, I’ll share how I was pushed out of my comfort zone toward growth. I’ll share why other students should do the same.
Extracurriculars Develop Problem-Solving:
A key attribute I honed during my tenure at EDA was problem-solving. In any team setting, unforeseen challenges are unavoidable, and robust problem-solving skills are imperative for success. This adaptability is critical to growth in both university and in life.
Problem-solving in Group Settings:
During the process of preparing for EDA events, we encountered several roadblocks. One instance was when our team faced a financial crunch for our final event of the year, pushing us to postpone it. The pressure was intense. However, instead of crumbling, we revived connections with a past sponsor. After presenting a persuasive pitch demonstrating why they should support our event, we prevailed in securing them as significant financial contributors to our event.
In this instance, I saw that problem-solving is paramount for success in many aspects of life.
Encourages Creativity:
My problem-solving abilities, honed through extracurricular activities, also helped me in my courses. As I was pushed to find solutions to problems with EDA, I realized that there is often more than one way to look at an issue. This realization also helped me grow my confidence, and I stopped trying to echo textbook material in my papers and exams.
This was a breakthrough because achieving exceptional grades requires more than just regurgitating or summarizing information. For me, this signified a major transition, as adopting a critical thinking mindset enabled me to strategically connect research outcomes to the specific topics outlined by my course instructors.
Communication:
Another crucial skill I built, thanks to my extracurricular involvement, was the power of effective communication. Previously, stepping out of my comfort zone and establishing connections with other students posed a challenge. Like most students, it just made me uncomfortable. I know many students feel the same way. However, my involvement in clubs has significantly nurtured my communication skills.
Whatever you plan to do in life, gaining proficiency in communication is indispensable. Knowing this, I’m so grateful that I leaned into the discomfort to overcome it.
Crafting a Powerful Pitch:
One aspect of communication I improved upon was my pitching skills.
When presented with an opportunity to pitch to prospective sponsors and speakers about partnering with EDA, in-depth prior research on the company or person helped tailor our proposal to their mission and goals.
Then, during the meetings, I would clearly highlight the purpose of our event, the value our club could offer, and the overlap in our collective goals. Despite several rejections from partners and speakers, this approach eventually led to successful collaborations with key sponsors and speakers. A carefully constructed pitch showcases a deep understanding of stakeholder needs while proving the unique benefits of working together.
Communication in Academics:
In an academic setting, I learned that the above communication skills can be leveraged by students to present their ideas, projects, or proposals with confidence and clarity.
Students should not underestimate the role effective communication plays in academic deliverables. Many students find it challenging to effectively convey their findings in case studies or research essays, especially under timed pressure. This often results in less-than-stellar grades. However, optimal communication skills can help you develop how to say something, which is usually a key part of an assignment’s equation.
One memorable instance where communication skills proved useful to me as a university student occurred during a group project. We were tasked with devising a marketing strategy for an imaginary product or service.
Using the communication principles I developed, I approached the assignment as if I were pitching a business proposition to a potential investor. Not only did we articulate the facts and figures, but we crafted a compelling narrative.
Building a Team Through Extracurriculars
Extracurricular activities are fertile ground for students to cultivate essential life skills. Among these, the capacity to build and steer a team or network stands out. In the university setting, forming a group of individuals you trust can elevate one’s chances in their academic journey. With team members dedicated to various roles and responsibilities, mastering group tasks becomes a tangible goal.
There will inevitably be concepts or theories during your university journey that pose a challenge. In such scenarios, having a group of students to turn to can make a difference.
In other cases, surrounding yourself with like-minded colleagues can catalyze longer study hours, pushing you to tap into your full potential while maintaining accountability.
Value gained from Extracurriculars:
Unlike conventional courses that often encourage solo efforts, extracurricular endeavors pave the way for trust-building and genuine collaboration. I’ve observed that students engaged in such activities emit a heightened passion for teamwork and are driven to achieve collective goals. This contrasts with classroom scenarios where attendance might be driven more by obligation, whether that is course prerequisites or mere scheduling necessities.
Understanding Group Dynamics:
The dynamic of team projects in academic settings vary from those in extracurricular activities. While academic grading sometimes prioritizes individual contributions, possibly undermining the essence of teamwork, extracurriculars emphasize the comprehensive understanding and execution of roles by each team member.
Extracurriculars Help with Networking:
Extracurricular activities offer more than teamwork as they open doors to invaluable networking opportunities that classrooms can’t replicate. In such settings, like the events organized by EDA, you connect with individuals from numerous backgrounds, all teeming with uncommon ideas and aspirations. I’ve witnessed firsthand that participants form deep connections at these events and embark on collaborative ventures, with many pooling their talents to pursue start-up dreams. This encapsulates the transformative power of extracurricular networking, setting the stage for future partnerships and innovation.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my journey with the Entrepreneurship Development Association at York University, I am reminded of the rich array of skills that I was able to develop through this extracurricular engagement. Standing in that busy university corridor, appealing to students to join our cause wasn’t just about boosting our member count. It was about acquiring invaluable problem-solving, communication, and team-building lessons that exceeded the theoretical knowledge from textbooks and lectures.
If you’re searching for a way to thrive in university and foster skills that will serve you beyond the classroom, consider joining a dynamic extracurricular activity. Without a doubt, the skills you develop will remain a powerful tool in your personal and professional arsenal.
Sometimes, navigating through the sea of academic and professional life seems daunting, but I lean on the lessons learned above to be my compass. Each rejection can be viewed as a step towards improvement, every challenge an opportunity for creative problem-solving, and every connection an occasion for meaningful communication.