A typical day for Bilal Ahmed starts with an early morning jog. After a quick nap and power breakfast, he heads for college. The first half of the day is spent attending lectures. Post lunch, he has meetings with clients that may stretch up to a couple of hours. On returning home, he busies himself with freelance work that keeps him glued to his phone and computer for a few hours. His day usually stretches till midnight.

At 19, Ahmed has his plate full. He is pursuing a degree in commerce from one of the leading colleges of Delhi University (DU). He is also the vice-president of the DU chapter of AIESEC (Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales), an international body that helps students all over the world find internships. He also freelances with a market research organisation to earn some extra moolah.

Ahmed is among the growing breed of youngsters who believe in scoring in areas beyond academics. They are young guns who are looking at credits that will give them an edge over other students and competitors.

“I have classes only for a couple of hours. With effective time management, I am able to use the better part of the day for constructive work,” says Ahmed, who feels his work with AIESEC is “a long-term investment”.

Siddhartha Vij wanted to use his spare time “judiciously” after his Class XII board exam. He decided to join a non-governmental organisation (NGO). Little did he realise that his short stint at the Tehelka Foundation, Delhi, would help him pick up valuable skills, qualifications that he would never be able to earn in the confines of his home or school.

Vij worked with the NGO for two weeks before college took precedence. His work involved doing research for various projects, meeting people, taking notes and maintaining deadlines. “Those few days with the organisation were productive. It paved the way for all my future internships,” says the Delhi student who is now in his final year of college.

More and more students these days are doing the balancing act — juggling studies with activities that help them look beyond books. These are youngsters who believe that student life is not just about academics. They begin with participating in various activities in and out of school and by the time they graduate, they are armed with a lot more credits than just academic marks.

And the extra credits are not just for personal satisfaction. They help in beefing up an individual’s curriculum vitae, says Rajdeep Puri, a final-year student of DU. “In school we are more restricted in our choices. But college opens up new vistas, beyond the usual music and dance classes,” he says.

An active member of the school eco club, Puri nursed his green thumb in college as well. Having volunteered in various environmental organisations, he is confident that his CV would boast more credentials than those of his counterparts.

Many students start cultivating their interests beyond books from their school days. So while a few youngsters engage in dramatics or debate, others take a keen interest in nature, heritage, science, astronomy or film. “These activities help identify your potential. Moreover, they help you secure admission to a reputed college,” adds Puri.

Not without reason. DU and several other universities have special quotas for sports and extracurricular activities (ECA). Students are given admission based on their performance in the trial rounds under both the quotas. Most universities also make it mandatory for students to opt for either the National Cadet Corps (NCC) or the National Service Scheme (NSS). Participating in such activities helps youngsters strengthen their personality and broaden their vision.

The NCC helps students develop a spirit of sportsmanship and leadership, qualities that may come handy if they want to apply to the armed forces. NSS volunteers, on the other hand, familiarise themselves with community service.

The extra credits also help those who wish to study abroad. “My activities in school and college helped me bag the desired scholarship. The sponsors were looking for people with not just academic competence but also extracurricular achievements,” says Sakshi Ojha, currently pursuing masters in journalism and media in the UK.

Though the workload can be demanding, students who balance special interests with studies feel that the benefits far outweigh the stress factor, if any. “My work has helped me get a feel of different cultures which will benefit me if and when I go abroad,” says Shrey Gupta, a second-year DU student. Gupta is doing an unpaid internship with AIESEC’s Delhi chapter. The work involves facilitating interns from different countries for the corporate sector in India.

Working as a volunteer also has more profound rewards. “I volunteered with an NGO and started teaching children at a slum during my undergraduate years. Initially, I hated the squalor but later, as I interacted with the locals, I realised what life is worth,” says Shiny Saha, a postgraduate student of sociology. “The certificate of work experience pales in comparison to the actual experience. It changed my outlook towards life,” she adds.

However, juggling too many activities is not easy. Attending late evening rehearsals with a theatre troupe or finishing a presentation may mean compromising on academics or even missing out on fun. Hanging out with friends, afternoon siestas or a watching a film may just have to be forgotten.

But does that come in the way of pursuing dreams? “If I do go for a movie, all I need to do is stretch my working hours to a little beyond midnight. I know how to prioritise things,” says Ahmed, for whom time management is life’s most important lesson. “There are no two roads to success, you have to constantly think smart and push yourself,” he adds.

Sure enough. In the age of cut-throat competition, your extracurricular activities may just help you stay ahead in the race

value addition

1. School and college are not just about academics. It’s important to score outside the classroom too
   
   
2. At school, options for branching out include various extracurricular activities and even social activism such as tree plantation and clean-up drives.
   
   
3. Internships pursued during college years are as valuable as the degree itself.
   
   
4. Foreign universities look for students who have excelled in various aspects of life. A high academic score is just one of the requirements.
   
   
5. Time management is the key to balancing studies and other engagements.