When choosing what school activities to do, it can be hard to pick which of them will be the most beneficial. For some students, a sport may not be a top choice, but it should be considered as sports are a fun and advantageous extracurricular to participate in.

According to Wycliffe College UK, incorporating sports in a student’s schedule can improve their academic performance. Physical activity when playing sports can release chemical messengers in the brain such as dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, all of which help levels of focus and attention. 

“I think my sport helps with my school life because it helps me maintain my grades and it helps me focus more in school,” FHS cheerleader De’Yanna Randall said.

The memorization of skills, tasks or rules in sports sometimes is also beneficial for academic subjects. School sports can also look good on college applications as they add to extracurriculars, and raise opportunities to earn scholarships to colleges that they want to attend.

The benefits of school sports even extend into one’s social life, making it easier to create connections with peers. Making friends at school can be difficult for some students, especially since it might feel intimidating or frightening to talk to other teens. School sports are a good way to establish and improve social skills, as they require cooperation and communication to be part of a successful team. Being in an environment of constant practice and teamwork provides students with time to socialize with other student athletes. 

Naturally, being a student in high school can feel overwhelming. Feelings such as pressure, stress or anxiety are all emotions that teens go through during high school. When one wins or masters a skill in a sport that they have been concentrating on, it can boost their confidence and self-esteem since they have accomplished something they worked hard for. Therefore, it can positively affect one’s mental health, especially as the teammates and coach will congratulate them. Another way sports benefits students’ mental health is by creating relief or excitement from engaging in their sport. This is due to their dedication to sports instead of other stressful tasks that occupy their thoughts. 

In addition to mental health, sports, typically, benefit one’s physical health. The list of physiological benefits that come with engaging in a sport include improved sleep, reduced risk of obesity, improved energy levels and more according to JBCN School.

With all of these benefits, it is safe to say that to be a student athlete, one learns to work hard, be dedicated, be courageous and develop many other qualities that could make them a good fit for a high school team. While many may not be primarily interested in sports, it is important to recognize the importance of participating in them. 

“I joined a sport because I wanted to be part of a team and create new friends,” Randall said. “I recommend others do a sport because they’re not just your teammates, they’re your family. They’ll have your back no matter what even when the season is over.”