Beyond the Classroom: The Struggles Faced by Students in Balancing Extracurricular Activities and Academics

By: Esther Ilori

“There are times I have had to study just to do other things, and there are times where I had to put off other engagements due to my academic demands,” Ibraheem Fiyinfoluwa, a 400-level first-class student of Communication and Language Arts and Editor-in-Chief of Bello Hall Press revealed his struggles.

Fiyinfoluwa is a student that is involved in just one extracurricular activity, which is campus Journalism, but at a different front. This statement rendered by Ibraheem Fiyinfoluwa while speaking in his interview clearly shows that balancing extracurricular activities and academics comes with sacrifices. A sacrifice to strike a balance often comes with a price and University of Ibadan students who want to participate in extracurricular activities must be ready to embrace them.

To support his claim, the President of the Union of Campus Journalists, UI, Olanshile Ogunrinu, admits to the sacrifices that come with building a life beyond the walls of the classroom. According to him, “extracurricular activities require missing classes, which require you to study hard to make up for those classes, and also your health, which is why you should not take more than you can chew and prioritize rest,”

The University of Ibadan is widely revered for its focus on academic excellence where students are equipped with essential skills, scholarships and job opportunities. While much precedence is given to academics, there exists a wide variety of non-academic engagements and extracurriculars students engage in. But beyond its long-standing identity as one of the best tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the real struggle begins with students struggling to gain a foothold as they seek to forge an identity beyond the sweltering demands of swamped academic timetables and rigorous academic schedules.

In UI, these activities range from participating in sporting activities, arts, clubs, and student organizations. While academics in UI remain ever daunting, especially for those who strive for excellence, quite a number of these activities come with benefits such as positive personal development, effective communication skills, leadership positions, and athletic experience.

Lawal Abdul-Qayyum, a 400-level student from the Department of English is a member of the Faculty Legislative Council (FLC), and a tutor who has served on various committees in UI including the departmental, faculty, and the Students’ Union levels, attested that extracurricular activities give him insights into life that transform him into a better person. “It is very good and necessary for personal growth, and that helps me handle such situations,” he said.

Beyond the benefits of extracurricular activities, adapting to the accelerating pace of the academic calendar shortened by a fortnight is still quite a challenge. “The strife for relevance in my academic activities and my extracurricular activities is a major challenge for me,” Lawal complained.

Admittedly, extracurriculars come with demands, but quite a number of students have proven that finding a threshold despite these voluntary responsibilities is a possibility. Having been a member of the student community of the University of Ibadan for three sessions, Olanshile further attested that some students have not only succeeded in attaining good academic degrees and impressive CGPAs but have also developed a well-rounded identity beyond academics. A typical example is Ibraheem Fiyinfoluwa, a first-class final student. This shows that there is a high possibility of balancing extracurricular activities and academics well, giving hope to students struggling.

However, a proper way of balancing both requires adequate planning and preparation. Extracurricular activities, if not properly balanced with academics, could affect students greatly, either physical or mental health. The real struggle begins with balancing extracurricular activities and academics among University of Ibadan students. As a student, being unable to balance both becomes challenging and burdensome. This is evident in other students interviewed who are involved in extracurricular activities with academic activities.

Lawal Abdul-Qayyum confessed that he has been in a situation whereby extracurricular activities almost affected his academics both mentally and physically. “You start making compromises and placing your schedule on some sort of scale of preference, which may affect your academics if you engage in many extracurricular activities.”

Also, Ezekiel Adekanmbi, a 400-level student from Communication and Language Arts and the Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Union, struggled to balance extracurricular activities with academics, citing insufficient time to study and insufficient preparation for crucial examinations and tests.The struggles of the students interviewed show that balancing extracurriculars and academics is not an easy task, but it can be managed, as he said, “balancing both requires determination to make it work.”

Fiyinfoluwa added that sometimes there are inevitable clashes that will require one to put much more effort than one would normally. “To make it work one has to realize that one has to do more and put in the effort to try to make it all work together.”

Hence, it is important to note that there are strategies that can be inculcated in balancing both. He recommended that students should set out good goals and plan how they are going to make all of it happen and he further emphasised practicing effective time management. Similarly, Olanshile also recommends prioritising time management, creating a to-do list, and planning your time well.

For Lawal Abdul-qayyum, setting your priorities right is crucial. “You should get things on a scale of preference and make sure you do not bite more than you can chew.” He emphasised the importance of academics, noting that “by the fact of the word”extra” in “extracurricular”, it should remain extra, that is, as additional activities and should not affect one’s academics, your academics is your major reason for being in school”.

Also, Ezekiel Adekanbi believes strongly in proper time management. “I prioritized my study group as it was an opportunity to learn from other students.” As a student trying to balance both, you must ask yourself two questions which are; Are my grades declining? And am I getting enough rest? These questions will help to keep you in check.

Engaging in extracurricular activities in school has lots of importance but balancing these with academic activities can also be tiring. But with effective time management, commitment, and setting your priorities right, which requires intentionality, you can achieve adequate balancing.