<p>I'm going to be a Freshman at a new school district, so I won't know anyone. I need to find clubs I'll enjoy AND look good on applications AND be good for making friends.
I like writing and debating, and I'm pretty organized, so I was thinking of joining newspaper, debate, yearbook, and literary magazine.
But I also really want to do cross country or cheerleading, because I want to try a sport I never considered before in Freshman year, while I still have the opportunity and time. Though cheerleading is less time-occupying, it seems like such a popular mean girl thing to do and I've already started cross country pre-season. This means I'll have to dedicate two hours after school everyday my entire fall season. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love running and all the activities posted on here; I just don't know if that'll leave me enough time to adjust to high school and have a social life and think about the future, especially since cross country won't be something I'll continue throughout high school (I'll do crew every year, in the spring season.)
I also need to think about the pretty immediate future as well, since I'm applying to a prep school for sophomore year.
What should I choose? Is it posible to join clubs in the middle of the year and if so, should I do that? Or forget about sports and focus on clubs? Or try to juggle everything all together?
Oh, and cross country or cheerleading? (In terms of socializing, exercise benefits, time dedication, how hard it is, reputation etc. etc.)
Thanks!</p>
<p>To answer your question, I believe the one that you should do if you are really attached to any on of those EC’s is the one that has the best chance of getting you awards or personal enjoyment. Both sports are pretty time consuming, but it really ** doesn’t matter **. If you have fun or do really really well in a certain club, then do it!!!However, I have something that might interest you…</p>
<p><em>Make your own club</em>
That is what I recomend. You can do anything as long as you have a teacher and a good sales pitch. This means you could have academic clubs to boost you in competitions and day-to-day school life, or maybe try volunteering during the time you would have spent doing an afterschool. </p>
<p>Just my opinion, but try the clubs out for a while. If you find a better thing, then leave, but if you like it, stay. High School is all about learning and exploring, so start now!</p>