EXTRA/SUPER-CURRICULARS

With us in the midst of exams, we’ve all probably been too stressed about revising to worry about anything else. But universities and sixth forms won’t just look at your grades to figure out if you deserve a place there - they’ll look at passion, and the best way to show passion is through extra and super-curriculars, which proves that you really are interested and invested in your chosen subject/field. 

Extracurriculars vs Super-curriculars

There are two types of out-of-school activity that sixth forms, universities, and even jobs will look for: extracurricular activities and super-curricular ones. Extracurriculars are sought after by most places, as it shows a variety of skills and interests. On the other hand though, some universities, (infamously Oxbridge), won’t take extracurriculars into consideration, because an extracurricular is any activity you do out of school time, whether its related to your chosen subject or not. The most common extracurricular activities are playing sports, learning an instrument, or joining a particular club, like debate. While these are definitely useful, they aren’t as useful as our next point - super-curriculars. Super-curriculars are activities that relate to your chosen field. For example, someone who wants to study law at university (me) might choose super-curriculars like reading legal texts, visiting courtrooms, or participating in debate competitions. They’re key pieces of a CV or application that show initiative, independent learning, and passion, which and the end of the day, is the main thing that people are looking for. 

Extracurricular ideas

As I’ve already mentioned, the most common extracurriculars for students are playing an instrument, joining a local sports team, or participating in an academic club. However, people who do these sorts of activities are a dime a dozen - here’s a list that will help you stand out: 

1. Shadwell Basin Outdoors Activities Centre

Shadwell Basin is a charity for young people between the ages of 9 and 18 to learn outdoor skills and participate in activities that they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise, like kayaking, sailing, rock climbing, and outdoor survival skills. They’re also capable of taking you on trips all over the globe, to places like Nepal and Tanzania, or as local as the Lake District. Visit their website here to learn more about them. 

2. Fire Cadets

There are loads of different cadet organisations, Army and Police Cadets being the most common, but I feel that Fire Cadets really helps you to stand out, especially if you want to go into uniformed services. I actually know multiple people who are Fire Cadets because it looks better on their application to the Met Police. You have the opportunity to become an officer after your first year and rise through the ranks, helping you show prospective schools and employers your leadership skills, your teamwork and your adaptability. Check it out here for more detail.

3. Idea Store Volunteering

Every summer holiday, Idea Stores have a volunteering programme for 14-17 year-olds to assist in the Summer Reading Challenge at a local Idea Store. You help customers and family, do inventory, organise books, and practise working as a team. At the end of your volunteering, you get a permanent reference and an evaluation sheet that could boost your application to the top of the pile. Check out the programme here if you’re interested.

4. Create a club at your school

Contact your school with an idea for an extracurricular club that you think a lot of people at your school would enjoy/come to. While I did say before that being part of a school club was a bit lacklustre, being the founder of a club at your school is a whole new deal. It can be anything that your school doesn’t already have - a chess club, a homework club, a languages club, or anything else that you’d be able to support. This’ll show prospective schools and employers that you have initiative, confidence, that you’re able to come up with your own ideas, and that you’re able to successfully pitch them to people and succeed. 

Super-curricular ideas

Super-curriculars are a lot more valuable than extracurriculars, because of the extra experience and skills they give you in that field, and as a result, they’re typically a lot more difficult and time-intensive, as well as hard to find. However, here are a few super-curriculars for the most common jobs that young people want to have. 

1. Medicine - volunteering at clinics and pharmacies

A lot of pharmacies, clinics and even hospitals accept teenagers as volunteers or interns in their facilities. Obviously, you won’t be involved in direct medical treatments or consultations, but you’ll get the experience of working in a medical setting, and if you have first aid training, you might even be able to help in that way, depending on the patient’s injuries and the institute’s rules. Check out medical volunteering opportunities here.

2. Law - visiting courtrooms and viewing trial

In the UK, most trials are public, which means that anyone can go into a courtroom, sit down, and watch the proceedings. Doing so even once (though regularly would be a big upgrade) can prove to a university, legal clinic or sixth form that you’re passionate about law, and that you already have an understanding, albeit undeveloped, of legal and courtroom processes. You can find out more information on the UK judiciary website here.

3. Engineering - attending science courses and workshops

Loads of universities and sixth forms offer taster lectures and courses, and there are a lot of robotics workshops all across London that can really give the edge to someone who wants to study engineering. By participating in a workshop, you can start off your course with a pre-existing bit of knowledge that can help you get ahead quickly. 

4. Teaching - Fire Cadets

This one might seem a bit weird to you, but think back to what I said. After you complete a year as a cadet, you get the opportunity to come back as an officer, rising through the ranks. As an officer, you could be in charge of the education of up to 24 young people, having the authority to lead sessions and teach content independently, with guidance from volunteers who have been working with young people for years. I’ve personally found it to be really, helpful, and I’m sure you will too. The link to join Fire Cadets is up above. 

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