University of Wisconsin - Extension

The beginning of a new school year also brings the beginning of a new set of after-school and extra-curricular activities for many students. Sports, music or dance lessons, volunteer work, 4-H club activities, scouts, and homework compete for after school and weekend time.

All these activities sound exciting and interesting. That's why students and their parents need to take stock and set priorities to keep from becoming over-scheduled, over-extended and over-stressed.

Wayne Brabender, a 4-H youth development state specialist and a parent himself, believes that it's important for students to participate in some out-of-the-classroom activities. He encourages them to choose some things that they are good at and enjoy and some other activities that are new and challenging.

"It's important to decide what you like and want to do, but picking something you have never done before is a good way to learn how to see things from a different perspective. It's healthy to try new things. It's how we grow," he said.

In the 4-H program alone, dozens of project areas - from working with computers to acting on the stage, raising a farm animal or experimenting with rockets, tempt young people. 4-H youth development specialists and agents help youth choose from this dizzying array of possibilities by suggesting the following priority-setting technique:

- Make a list of the things you really like to do or want to know about.

- Talk over your list with your parents, leaders, and friends. They may recognize some special things you are good at that you don't even realize you do well.

- Compare your list with the projects or activities that are available where you live.

- Ask yourself if you have the equipment, money and time to do the projects or activities that sound interesting.

- Choose one or two projects or activities to concentrate on. You can add more activities to your schedule if you find you have the time for them.

"Many kids are over-extended," Brabender said. "They say yes to too much and don't always recognize the amount of time it takes to do something well." Parents can help their children set realistic limits for outside activities, he added.

"There really isn't enough time to do everything we would like to do," Brabender explained. "Both adults and young people need to keep some balance in their lives - to do some things that are fun and some that are a challenge, but still take time to get enough rest and refreshment."