With summer coming to a close, it is time to consider classes and extracurriculars for the upcoming school year.

If you are an incoming freshman or an upperclassman looking to be more active, you should join a sport. It will help you make friends, promote team building, and help you stay active. Sports are a worthwhile investment for any student, even if you are nervous about high school or unconfident in your abilities.

High school can be an exciting experience, especially if you do not know anyone. Besides joining clubs and classes, another option for making friends is sports. Sports often help you meet new people with common interests. Working hard and training together can help build strong relationships. Teammates can also ensure that you do not slack off and may help keep you accountable.

Personally, before I joined my high school swim team, club swimming was much more about setting personal records and getting certain time cuts. But in high school, the focus is winning as a team. Depending on how you place in your race, you gain a certain number of points. The winner is decided by which team has the most combined points overall. Even if you are not getting as many points as your other teammates, every single point counts.

The outcome of a meet or game is decided by the team as a whole. This may motivate you to work harder and dedicate more time to your craft. In team sports, everyone has to work hard in order to win.

Finally, sports give you a much-needed break from more educational classes. No matter how good of a student you are, you will eventually be subject to burnout. Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air gives you a break from the classroom. This exercise could be beneficial for you both mentally and physically. Sometimes in media, athletes are portrayed as having lower grades. But, as long as you are managing your time wisely, you can succeed in both sports and education.

Whether you are looking to make new friends, get a break from the classroom, or better yourself, joining high school sports is a great option. Remember, no one is great when they first start, but all it takes is hard work and practice.