Invest Wisely

Student’s may not know this yet, but time is often a person’s most valuable asset. In the world of work, time is absolutely the most valuable asset. So learning how to make careful decisions about how to spend one’s time is critical.

That’s why college admissions officials look for students who make intelligent decisions when selecting their extra-curricular activities. Many students try to compensate for weak academic performance with a flurry of after-school/summer commitments. Good try, but it won’t work.

Academics first — academics count more than any other factor — whether a student is bound for college or the world of work. If significant improvement is necessary, students should invest time — and money if necessary — to improve their academic achievement with tutoring rather than add an additional extra-curricular activity commitment.

Once that focus is clear, students don’t need to engage in 12 different extra-curricular activities. In fact, college admissions officers believe that one or two targeted and meaningful activities that truly relate to a student’s goals are a better investment of time than multiple less-relevant activities. And their admissions decisions reflect that philosophy.