One of the reasons you might participate in activities is for the accolades you’ll receive if you achieve enough success. You might be elected to an office, or receive an award, or earn a distinction–any one of which should make you proud. And colleges always appreciate success like that.
But what if you’re expending the effort without those traditional measures of success? What if you aren’t on the leadership team or in the starting lineup or on the docket for the awards ceremony? Should you still continue?
I’ve written before that quitting gets an often undeserved bad rap, particularly for high school kids. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should jettison an activity just because you aren’t being recognized. There are plenty of other ways an activity can pay you back. Here are a few.
Enjoyment
Learning
Challenge
Camaraderie
Access (to people, places, or opportunities)
Improved mental and/or physical health
A sense of fulfillment, pride, or other positive emotion
Service to others
Responsibility
Work experience (and yes, actual money)
If an activity isn’t giving anything back, no matter how much you give, then by all means, consider quitting. Rededicate that time and energy to something that doesn’t just take from you.
But remember that trophies, distinctions, and other awards aren’t the only viable returns for your activity investment. Insist on payment of some kind, but be open about the particular currency.