Oftentimes, I’ve heard of parents having trouble convincing their children to be involved in school and to try new things. However, I think I’ve often found myself in a very dissimilar dilemma. I try too many things.
In this post, I’m introducing some activities I’ve attempted, and my varying levels of participation. Some clubs ended up meaning a lot to me, and others I don’t think I’ll ever partake in again. Regardless, I had fun memories in all of them.
A quick disclaimer: I do not mean to offend anyone who may be active in these activities, some of them simply weren’t for me. And honestly, except #4, I hadn’t fully participated in these clubs, and you might have had a more fulfilling experience than myself.
1. SCIENCE OLYMPIAD – FRESHMAN CARRIED
I decided to join science olympiad on a whim. At the beginning of junior year, I had convinced myself
that I wanted to minor in chemistry, and as a result, I tried to join STEM-related clubs.
However, this is how I learned that I do not enjoy waking up on Saturday mornings, taking notes, or completing research by choice. And I might not enjoy non-chemistry science either. Pretty key elements of the club.
All I have to show for my time in science olympiad are two bronze medals from an invitational that I did not attend. Although I learned STEM isn’t for me, I enjoyed spending my Tuesday afternoons hanging out and goofing off. I worked with another girl in my grade and three freshmen, and we all shared some laughs. Shamefully, due to my procrastination and unwillingness to take in-depth notes, my freshmen were much more knowledgeable about my events than me. Not much studying was done, but at least I can still wave to my former freshmen partners in the hallways.
Despite my comments, If you enjoy science and self-studying, this could be an enjoyable activity for you. I discontinued my participation after one year, but it allowed me to meet different people and humble myself in the process. To the current sophomores who competed in Write It Do It with me, this one goes out to you.
Rating: 6.5/10 – I wouldn’t compete again, but I would attend another meeting just for fun.
Takeaway: I do not like science (besides chemistry).
- SCHOLASTIC BOWL – I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING
I’m a big Mrs. Evans fan, and when I was offered to come to a scholastic bowl meeting, the answer was yes. Excited, I sat through half a tournament until I realized that I didn’t know anything. I came back for a few more meetings, but I don’t think I ever buzzed for a que
stion. Unless we do a Harry Potter trivia night, I don’t think I’ll be answering anytime soon.
Scholastic bowl gets bonus points for having a great Instagram, but I do not know enough fun facts to contribute to the competition. However, I still have fun hanging in the back of the room, and working on homework as my friends practice.
Rating: 5/10 – I would hang out but not for too long. I don’t want to disrupt the friendly competition!
Takeaway: I’m not the most knowledgeable trivia night member, but I’ll bring enthusiasm.
- COMPUTER SCIENCE CLUB – WHAT IS CODING
Saying I participated in the CS club is a stretch, but I’ve spent a fair amount of afternoons sitting on the floor of the CS room. I’ve made my mark attempting to play Papa’s Freezeria, but I had never picked up any work. Because I have a fair amount of friends who are genuinely part of the club and on the board, it’s fun to socialize, but I might consider myself more of a distraction than a participant. I tend to leave once the actual work starts, but it’s not a bad study environment.
Rating: 4/10 – Probably won’t come back. And I had to fill out the attendance form once so it’s on my Infinite Campus.
Takeaway: I like spending time with my friends, but it’s also good to know when to leave them to work.
- TABLE TENNIS – BEST MANAGERS EVER
Of all these clubs, table tennis has my heart. One day, my friend asked me if I wanted to watch the tryouts with her. Although I originally thought it was a silly suggestion, and probably not the best use of my Friday afternoon, I decided to give it a shot. In just one day, I ended up meeting a lot of people and had an oddly good time. Mr. Farrel had asked me if we wanted to be managers for the team, and we eventually agreed.
Although most of my work includes moving around tables, I enjoy getting to know new people and spending time with my good friends. I love attending tournaments and helping out, and I’ll miss the club a lot.
Rating: 9/10 – I love table tennis.
Takeaway: Sometimes, meeting a ton of new people at once can be fun! It’s worth trying.
- ROBOTICS – MISSING IN ACTION
I had completely forgotten about robotics until I was halfway through this post. I only joined the club because I thought it would be fun to make buttons and try something completely new, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. I’m unsure what compelled me to pay the $250 fee, but after two meetings I never returned. Once again, I am not a woman in STEM.
Rating: ?/10 – I wouldn’t know, I was seriously never there. 
This entry was on the longer side, but these are just some of the activities that I participated in without substantial reasons. I don’t regret attending any of them, and I feel really lucky to attend a school with so many options. I’m happy to have met new people, and learn where my strengths were. Taking risks can be fun, and I am a firm believer in trying new things.
Hey Izzy! I find that I have the same dilemma as you! Trying too many things and overextending myself when it comes to activities. In fact, at the beginning of Junior year, I decided to drop any activities that I did not feel passionate about, so that allowed me to dive deeper into each activity. Science olympiad sounds really fun, and chem is also my favorite science! I went to one scholastic bowl trivia night, and I felt the same way. I’ll lend you my Harry Potter trivia cards one day to truly test your Harry Potter knowledge… I love reading these, especially your CS club experience. The table Tennis manager is so cool! Is there anything stressful about it? Do you make the bracket? Let me know. Oh, not robotics! Side note, I enjoy how you have commentary next to your rating, taking a positive spin on these experiences, and how little bits of everything can contribute to a lot of fun, meeting many new people, and also discovering new things about yourself. In the future, I look forward to reading more about your endeavors!
Isabella,
Let us state for the record that once again, we are more alike than we realize. I too could make my own version of this blog post, with an insane number. I went to like that one Science Olympiad meeting where they were all literally building bridges and I was like no way this place is not for me. But, I AM AN AVID SCHOLASTIC BOWLER. I am also a big Ms. Evans fan and I will never stop telling people that I won against Metea all by myself even though I am not an official member. And yes they do get bonus points for having the funniest Instagram account ever it literally makes my day each time I see a story or a post from that account (thanks Kathryn). I also use CS club as a social event (ha the irony) and I also have spent countless hours on the CS club floor doing everything but coding (because I have never coded a line of anything in my life). I do admire the dedication you put towards the robotics club fee that is actually insane you have too much money to spend. What a fun blog Isabella!
Izzy — I really enjoyed this post, as someone else who is a big fan of constantly trying new things. I joined a bunch of clubs freshman year, and ended up sticking with several of them, and I’ve found that I really value the wide range of experiences that I’ve gained!
I love your descriptions of the various activities you’ve accidentally participated in, and I think it’s really valuable that you had a good time and got to try them out; it’s super cool that table tennis ended up being a really valued experience for you. Also, you’re welcome in Scholastic Bowl any day, we miss you.
I had a brief and ill-fated stint in debate freshman year — I competed at the first tournament, was terrified out of my mind the entire time, and ended up not going any farther with it, partially because of time conflicts and partially because I was definitely not ready as a shy freshman for the more intense public speaking required. Retrospectively, I think that debate would have been super valuable if I had stuck it through. At the time, though, I was definitely too shy. Thankfully, I think I’ve managed to find confidence and speaking growth through other avenues.
I was also convinced to try science bowl last year by a senior friend, and by the time I had realized it was not for me, it was too late to leave. I have nothing but respect for the brilliant and passionate members of science bowl, but as someone who does not plan to go into the hard sciences, it was definitely not up my alley; I’ll take the odder science olympiad events over the super-theoretical material there any day.
Dear izzy,
My mom was always a stickler for commitment, and I was never allowed to drop things I started. Thus, I endured the entirety of middle school track and cross country even after I realized that I am not a runner!
Seeing Science Olympiad is a sore subject, as STEM has been mistreating me recently. Though I may be a Woman in STEM, it is hard!!!!!! Very hard!!!!!!!! Very humbling.
I have similar feelings towards being in Scholastic Bowl: I do not know anything!!!! But I love people that do, and I come solely to watch and maybe learn in the process. I am really proud of Jim for finding a place there. Who would have known that his strange history obsessions would come in handy? I am grateful that this space is welcoming to him.
In regards to CS club, I understand. I am filled with nostalgia for APCS and Mr Schmitt, but I have forgotten everything and Java seems to be less popular than I thought. I try my best, but every time I am humbled. CS can be very dehumanizing; I have wanted to cry during at least two meetings. But Matthew is a great president and he puts a ton of effort into the puzzles so I still try.
Anyways, I really enjoyed this blog and encourage you to keep it up next semester.