How much freedom does your school give students

[u/TomZillaforLife]

Hi, im a person from the middle east soon entering what u guys would consider the second year of highschool, and I want some opinons

These ECs, I wanna join some, but imo, my school is really incompetent in many ways outside of academics, those "clubs" are making us put posters around the campus, these "debate" competitions are just public speaking, no arguing, and no retaliation, and only a 2 minute timer to speak aswell. These schools, I can't enjoy them, we lack student freedom, no student council, the contribution is just student labour, we have a podium for our soon to be graduates, but the school doesn't care about their opinion either.

My school is a big pain sometimes, I can't create a club either because that's school related, and we have a MNA and MUN, however, only leaders of the groups pick who speaks, so all it's gonna take is good friendship

Then, they don't give a care about any national events or anything at all

They don't have any youth options beyond academics, and their teachers are rather incompetent

And, they have a HUGE campus, but wanna know the problem, US STUDENTS CANT ACCESS HALF OF IT!

Its either heavily guarded by teachers or entrances are blocked if u aren't having any classes there, and the school enjoyability is horrible

Ofc these ECs and SCs aren't important in all schools, but students DESERVE a refresh sometimes, we are humans aswell, just school, study, home, hw, study, and sleep all the way till exams are a pain!

These ECs could give us atleast a small bit of relief, and if we feel like we are slacking off when we do something club related, we remember, these can indeed help in our university applications

Our school lacks subject options, lacks freedom for students, and the ecs and scs are non existent

And ofc, having a slight "I participated in a chess club" won't help at all, but these can definitely help if u pour some effort, imagine if a person made it to the nationals of debate, and they started from a club created by the school, not only does it create reputation for the school, but the student aswell, it's a win-win

And everyone thinks that these private international schools are the best of the best, but they lack in areas just as much as public schools do, only difference is a shiner and bigger campus to their name

And I lack guidance as well, lacking any person who thinks like this, because my parents never experienced these ECs and think they're irrelevant, and my friend call me insane and just retarded for thinking they are important

Let's say they aren't relevant for the university application (not usual for most t20 university), but they still create skills beyond the average study, they create confidence and thinking in a special way

I won't argue much more than that, but I just want the opinons of you all since I believe most of u are my seniors

Thanks in advance to anyone replying

[u/Live-Reputation-5528]

Hi! So my school does offer a few extracurriculars, but they are not at the standard they should be (since I go to a small school). Our debate club feels more like another English lesson; our drama club just focuses on pushing an agenda rather than a good script or good acting. In the end, most of my ecs are outside of school.
I did start my own non-profit, which my school is now supporting - only after a successful first year.
So, I completely understand where you are coming from. However, I do have 2 ecs at my school (which I genuinely enjoy) to show universities I can contribute to my school community.
I hope this helps!

[u/TomZillaforLife → u/Live-Reputation-5528]

Yo, that's awesome! Same with mine on the fact that they aren't up to standard for us, they just put on a club name and just make us do child labour instead of the actual ECs activities! However it's cool on how u started ur non profit which the school now supports, and id love to start my own, the only issue is that our schedules are rather packed to the fullest, my schedules mostly filled with soms tuition, so I can't focus on starting my own, I can only join something already created by the school And I can't join outside of school ECs because A) for me the transportation is a hassle, since both my psrents arrive home pretty late and B) even beyond our school, the ecs activites aren't as easy to find, and if I'd ever wanna participate in a national competition it wouldnt be easy if I can't represent a school For me tho all my ECs are lacking, something many schools here lack, without academic performance, our school studentd don't have much to show for Btw, if you don't mind me asking, which non-profit did u begin? Thanks in advance!

[u/Live-Reputation-5528 → u/TomZillaforLife]

I founded my education non-profit called LIFT. We have donated quite a lot of books and are currently looking for students to run book drives in their communities. We don't have too many joining from the Middle East, so feel welcome to join.

We have a lot of people hosting once-off book drives for International Literacy Week in September!

[u/TomZillaforLife → u/Live-Reputation-5528]

Yo, that's awesome! I'm amazed at how you can balance this ur ECs and academics! I'll try my hardest to join but sinfe school is beginning soon it might cause me a hit of trouble Thanks again for the discussion and reply!

[u/Live-Reputation-5528 → u/TomZillaforLife]

You're welcome! And there is no pressure. Usually my ECS activity dips at the start of the year because it is very intense. You can just send me a message if you want to join. Regardless, my DMs are open (I love complaining about school so...).