One of the most highly debated matter in education today is that if every individual is unique and have their own personal interests and abilities, then why do we force them down with the same syllabus and measure them on a certain criteria of writing what they memorized on a piece of paper? While this question has no easy solutions and consequently the existing system of evaluating students will probably remain the same in near future, there is however a narrow path that bypasses this system and lets students pursue and shine in the fields they truly like. The views on extracurricular is also equally conflicting- some see it as way a way of recreation, others are quick to reject and see it as nothing more than mere wastage of time. So taking both sides on account, let’s take a look at how important are extracurricular for students, if at all: ...

1. Recreation The first and the most popular benefit that people know of extracurricular is that they are good for recreation. While this notion is correct to some extent, there is a lot left to be added. The world extracurricular envelops a vast number of activities (not related to the curriculum of students) including but not limited to painting, dancing, sports, music, pottery, among others. While the notion of recreation may apply to some of this activities like sports, there are other activities that are in themselves more time consuming and intricate than the curriculum itself and done solely out of interest and not recreation. Also, there are students who are truly interested in studies and forcing them to recreate is as good as wasting their time and energy. 2. Aptitude Often overlooked by many, this is a major importance of extracurricular that helps shape and affirm one’s aptitude. We can tell a lot about any student if we know the extracurricular they take part in. Since these activities are done out of interest than compulsion, things they learn and achieve sticks with them for longer times and eventually shapes ...