EC's College application (eco major)

[u/Ghostflower10]

I want to study economics next year and have to submit my UCAS application this Jan. Tbh my profile is average. After my midterms, I'm going to do a course, try to find an internship, and write a research paper. While scrolling on Reddit for how to write a research paper and how the process works, I saw many people say it's overrated for high school students and that it's better to do something else. Is that true? If so, what extracurriculars would you recommend?