i Generation
Getting Involved

Alyssa Christianson

The school year is in full swing across America and thousands of kids everywhere are probably already counting the days until winter break.

The monotony of school can often times affect the way kids are performing in their academics. My recommendation to solve this problem is extracurricular activities.

I'm sure we all heard this enough, everyone telling us to "get involved" or "play sports," but there are plenty of other ways to break up the dreariness of school other than sports or student government.

At Oakmont (Regional High School), we host a myriad of after school clubs, so you're bound to find at least one that you're interested. Also, if you're worried about time because you have a lot of homework or really hard classes, most of the clubs only meet a few times a week.

As for sports, although this season is already well under way, it's a good time to start considering a winter sport. Being involved in sports is a great way to make friends and also to begin organizing your time more wisely.

Sports take up a lot of time usually, so it does increase the stress on getting work done for school, but oftentimes this stress will encourage kids to work better and learn to work more quickly but also effectively.

Student government and student council elections take place at the end of the year usually, unless you're an incoming freshman.

Both of these groups can also take up a lot of time and require attention to detail and major planning skills, but in the end are extremely rewarding. Knowing that you are involved in some of the important decisions surrounding either your class or the entire student body can really boost your confidence.

Also, if you're a junior this year, don't think it's too late to become active! If you're interested in something, don't be afraid to join up and get started! Most groups are longing for more members and you could be one of them!

Becoming active around school is also a good way for freshmen to become accustomed to the high school atmosphere. Being around upperclassmen who are interested in the same things as you can definitely make the change easier.

Although meetings and practices can become time consuming, the reward at the end of the season or school year is definitely worth it.

And as a side note, being involved in a group or sport is not a way to get out of your homework. Your teachers are still going to expect your homework to be done even if you did have a game until 8 p.m.

If the sheer joy that comes out of being involved doesn't convince you, then maybe

the simple fact that it will definitely make your resume look good will. Colleges love to see students who are involved.

Now, this doesn't mean you have to join up with every group or every sport in order to stand out. Being committed to one or two things 100 percent looks better than stretching yourself too far and only give 5 percent to everything

So if sports aren't your thing or if you're too shy to be in student government or student council, there is usually a club that will fit one of your interests.

If not, then get a group of your friends together and create your own club. At Oakmont, as long as a group has ten or more members and a reasonable interest, it can become a club.

The advantages of being involved in some club or group definitely outweigh the disadvantages. You can make new friends, do something you enjoy and make yourself look good to the colleges you apply to at the end of senior year.

And it's not too late to join now! Winter sports will be meeting up soon and clubs usually accept members year round. Or you can try your hand at running for office at the end of this year. So get involved! Anything is possible!

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Alyssa Christianson is a resident of Ashburnham and is a member of the Class of 2008 at Oakmont Regional High School. She is a on the varsity field hockey team and is on the student council for the second year.