Back-to-school season is upon us, and as we gear up for a new year filled with classes and extracurriculars, it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed trying to juggle it all. That’s exactly why we’re sharing our favorite tips to help you find your balance. 🧘
Be selective with your extracurriculars.
First step: don’t spread yourself too thin. We get it—the options are endless. But resist the urge to do everything.
When colleges review your application, they’re not expecting you to be in 15 different activities. In fact, that’s the opposite of what they’re looking for. Being involved in too many things can suggest surface-level participation.
On the other hand, focusing on just a few allows you to take on more active roles—maybe you’re on the board or leading a project—which shows deeper commitment and leadership. That’s a major 🟢 flag for admissions counselors.
Don’t just be selective—be intentional, too.
Who says high school extracurriculars can’t help jumpstart your accounting career? Even if college feels far away, taking steps toward accounting now shows dedication and thoughtful planning. There are real skills to be learned through clubs, and you can start using them to build your college application resume today.
So, how do you choose an extracurricular that builds accounting skills? We’re glad you asked—because it’s not as black and white as you might think. Sure, clubs like Future Business Leaders of America are great. They teach you how smart business decisions are made and highlight how essential accounting is to that process. But don’t sleep on clubs like Model UN either. While you may think because it’s not grounded in business or numbers, it won’t be applicable towards accounting, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Clubs like Model UN teach you to build skills like critical thinking, public speaking, and research, all while learning about global issues. That kind of knowledge gives you valuable perspective—especially when it comes to working with clients or leading discussions with senior leadership in the future. Plus, understanding how global events affect economies can help you tell the story behind the numbers and make stronger financial predictions!
Most importantly: be realistic.
Once you’ve intentionally chosen your extracurriculars, it’s time to be realistic about how many responsibilities you can take on. Don’t sign up to lead every fundraiser or moderate every debate if you know it’s going to be a heavy quarter. Time management is the cheat code.
We can’t stress enough that it’s time to get active with your calendar app and planner. Adding everything to your calendar—games, club meetings, quizzes, and deadlines—helps you know when to take on something new and when to pause. And yes, it’s totally okay to say no.
We hope this is a good reminder that growth happens inside and outside of the classroom. Academics aren’t everything and having a well-rounded application can go a long way. It’s not about doing everything under the sun—it’s about doing what matters most to you and doing it with care and intention.
Use Accounting+ to visualize what your future accounting career will look like and identify what gaps you can start filling now.
